Scotty Hopson, a Parade and McDonald's All-American guard who's rated the No. 9 player in the country by Rivals.com, will hold a press conference Monday in Hopkinsville, Ky., where he's expected to sign with Tennessee.
Hopson, who made a verbal commitment to UT on April 1, will be traveling to play in the Jordan Classic in New York City this week.
The first day of the spring signing period is Wednesday.
Hopson, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game last season, said recently he'll enroll in classes at UT this summer and play in the Pilot Rocky Top League.
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Comments » 33
alfrizzle097 writes:
Hope that no one will remember the name Lofton in two or three years. Perhaps the most talented player to come through UT since Allen Houston.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Maybe I'm living in an alternate universe, but wasn't today Monday?
utchris writes:
Obviously you are. First day to sign is this coming wednesday, thus he cant sign today, but next monday
MrBamSeydu writes:
While that is true utchris, you have to consider the palatial regalia.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Petersen wouldn't have messed with him.
King53 writes:
I hope he isn't putting us off to sign with another school. Surely they have a fax machine in NYC somewhere he could use.
txvolsfan writes:
It seems to all be about the press conference anymore!!!!
They need the cameras and UT hat and all the glory!!!
Times they are a changing, these guys want the bright lites now.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
johnlg00#206211 writes:
He needs to read Dane Bradshaw's book before coming here, just in case he expects to stroll right into stardom. Otherwise, he might not believe the amount of conditioning work, i.e., RUNNING, that CBP requires. I played basketball for more than 40 years, but I NEVER saw such a demanding training regimen in my life!
bshone#598776 writes:
cheer up guys, bruce successfully recruited one of the best players that has ever played for UT!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I surely hope you are right, bshone. I hope he is willing to do all the work and absorb the coaching he will need to fulfill his undoubted potential. Right or wrong, I have sorta gotten the impression that he is a bit of a "drama king".
bshone#598776 writes:
johnlg00, i can see where you get that... nonetheless, i'll bet he's in the starting lineup next year and i hope he provides some incentive for tyler to consider staying. we'll see...
murrayvol writes:
There's a lot of "drama kings" in our world johnlg. Some just cover it up better than others.
murrayvol writes:
BTW, Lunardi's 1st 09' Bracketology has the Vols @ #9. There's much work to do.
newtonrail writes:
Tyler Smith has jumped from 24 to 18 on NBA's Mock Draft site. I hope he knows what he's doing, and gets some good advice from Pearl. Even at #18, there is no real guaranteed money.
Colliervol writes:
Newton, I thought all first round money was guaranteed and when you fall to the second round, it isn't? Maybe I missed something.
As far as Hopson making me forget Chris Lofton? Not if he only stays one year. Unless he were to be an All American and lead us to the Final Four which would be difficult for a freshman to do.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I hear you, bshone and murrayvol. The name that occurs to me when I think of Hopson is Rashad McCants, multi-threat, McD A-A shooting guard on UNC's 2005 National Champions. He went to the NBA after his junior year and now plays for Minnesota. He was a bright guy with a lively sense of fun most of the time, and his teammates mostly loved him. However, he could also be extremely moody, lazy on defense, inconsistent, and a bit "chippy" on the court. His first couple of years, he could score 30 one night and 2 the next, and you never knew which you were going to get. It took all of Roy Williams' considerable experience, firmness, and patience to get him to play consistently. Maybe, despite what I see as similar signs, Hopson won't be such a struggle for CBP.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
marc_ash, Rose was a point guard who usually had the ball in his hands. Hopson will be a shooting guard, who will have to have someone get him the ball where he wants it. Also, Rose was regarded as exceptionally mature for his age. Hopson...maybe not so much. I certainly agree that he is an intriguing prospect, and I surely hope he makes a big contribution.
THE_VOL writes:
What a week for this guy! Signs his scholly papers on Wednesday and 75% of this board will have his jersey retired by Thursday!
"Don't know how "star" quality Hopson is going to be" WHAT'S WRONG MARCY???? Stop predicting IMPACT players after your boy Williams didn't quite get it done?????
Ironcity writes:
Hopson will be a nice piece on a good team. He won't be the go to guy and he won't make anyone forget Smith and Lofton his freshman year. The key is how hard he works. It might work out better if he is a little lazy, that way coach will have to work longer to whip him into shape and he might have to stay longer to better understand what it takes to play at the college leval and the pro leval.
One more thing, I really don't see how T Smith could pass up the draft if he is expected to be drafted in the first round. He needs the money and so does his family.
TommyJack writes:
Is Chief Chavis in charge of recruiting point guards?
bigbluevol writes:
Hopson isn't signing Wednesday. He's signing Monday, as the article says. I think people are just excited about a top 10 recruit and are hoping he's as good as advertised as well as hoping he starts a trend of high profile recruits wearing orange. TJ, Pearl did get a commitment from a PG that is supposed to sign tomorrow. Not as balleyhood, but a good prospect nonetheless.
TommyJack writes:
BBV: Good to hear.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Personally, I am much more interested in how Daniel West, point guard from Michigan, will do. The only reason West was not a big-name recruit was that he chose not to play a lot of high-profile camps and games during the summer. When it counted, he led his team to the Michigan championship, IIRC. Next to Tyler deciding to stay, improved play at point will, IMHO, have more to do with how we play next year than Hopson will right off. Don't get me wrong; I hope the guy is both a team player and a monster on the court from day one. However, no CBP team is going to have trouble scoring points if the right guys are taking the right shots. That is where a good point guard comes in.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
How could you ever forget Chris Lofton??????
Mike H, hang up #5 so that none of these people on here ever forget C-Lo please!!!
Colliervol writes:
Marc ash, true about Rose. If Hopson leads us to the Final Four and then becomes the #1 or #2 pick in the next NBA draft, then we can compare him to Rose. Rose is a special player and I doubt Hopson is in that category just yet. He's an excellent prospect though and I'm glad to have him. We're going to need some outside shooting next season.
murrayvol writes:
Collier: We'll have plenty of outside shooting next year. How many of them go in is another matter. Enough to be competitive I think.
KHVOLFAN writes:
Where is AIRFORCE1?
murrayvol writes:
itsme: Here's a reality check. If Memphis couldn't win the NC with the team they had this year, it's not gonna happen for you. Just stay focused on pounding those CUSA giants and losing to the Vols.
Raynoch writes:
That sounds great Tiger fan. Looks like you guys will be good, again. So Evans and Ebanks have already committed?
Tennessee should finish with a top 20-15 signing class coming off a few sweet 16's and an SEC Championship. Pearl has shown his commitment to the school and the school to him, so he should be around for a while. Things are looking really good for our basketball program for the foreseeable future. Especially considering we are widely thought of as a football school. By the way, how are those grid iron Tigers looking?
sgtvols writes:
don't matter one year and adios! aka rose at mumphis
dvolsdacious#585217 writes:
TN needs a point card like the Hall kid out of Noth Carolina in the 09 class.
dvolsdacious#585217 writes:
Hopson is a SG and can't create his shot like Lofton. If the West kid can do something a sweet 16 is ok. Like Bradshaw, Smith will be missed. The first goal for Tennesee should be to win the SEC to get respect, while Florida and Kentucky reload. Tyler should go if he is a first rounder. I just don't see him being a lottery pick and franchise player to fill seats like a Rose or Oden.
dvolsdacious#585217 writes:
Memphis offense does not need a PG. All you need is 3 people to dribble and dish which is good for elite 8 but not a championship. Evans reminds me of a Kobe Bryant another Philly guard. He like Rose will be one and done.
Again Tennessee should try to get the Hall kid out of North Carolina. Roy upset this kid by going for McDonald out of Memphia. Hall is the #2 PG in 09 class.
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