With several prospects in Arizona's 2013 class dropping off the recruiting board this week - add one more to the list. The state's top-rated prospect in the 2013 class is now also off the board, as Dobson High School's 6-foot-5 senior transfer combo-guard Jaron Hopkins has now made his college decision.
It had been rumored lately that Hopkins would go in this direction, and this weekend, after taking an official recruiting visit to the school, Hopkins decided to give a verbal commitment to the University of Colorado and head coach Tad Boyle and his men's basketball staff.
The Colorado Buffaloes are a program on the rise, after winning the PAC-12 Tournament Championship last season, reaching the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament last season and winning 20+ games in the past two seasons. As a result, the program is bringing in much better talent and hitting the state of Arizona hard in their recruiting efforts.
While Hopkins was rated as high as a Top 50 national prospect in the spring, he saw his recruitment tail off a bit this summer and saw his national ranking drop as well, but this young man is a nice talent with serious upside for the future. A combo-guard prospect that likes the basketball in his hands, Hopkins has a bright future ahead of himself.
Hopkins chose Colorado over offers from Arizona, UTEP, Nebraska, Auburn, Penn State, Oregon State, USC, Penn, Washington State, Boise State, San Francisco and Colorado State.
Hopkins had a very strong junior season last year for Basha HS - leading his team to a 22-7 overall record on the season. Hopkins turned in very impressive numbers - averaging a team-high 21.8 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 5.3 steals per/game.
In all my years of covering high school basketball in the state of Arizona, no player in the state has improved more during their high school years as much as Hopkins. Hopkins grew significantly over a short period of time and, as a result, saw his game and college recruitment soar. As an 8th-grader, Hopkins was just barely 6-0 tall and a pure point guard prospect. Just two years later, Hopkins stood a full 6-5 in height and is now a legitimate combo-guard prospect that is capable of handling the point guard position, while also being able to score the basketball at a high rate from the off-guard position with superior athleticism.
Hopkins is also an excellent student and carries a 3.7 CUM GPA.
Hopkins becomes the fourth prospect in Arizona's 2013 class to give a commitment this fall; actually, this week.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Hopkins is a very talented combo-guard prospect with a variety of offensive skill-sets and superb athletic talent. He has very good size physically, which allows for him to play both guard positions on the floor legitimately - an attractive feature. Hopkins also has excellent upside as a player, since he is still growing. As a point guard prospect, Hopkins has a very good handle of the basketball and a nice feel for the game, although he still needs to improve his decision-making and shot selection to reach his full potential at the position. He is able to create shots for himself or others, and is a good slasher and finisher in the open floor. Also a good finisher in traffic and over bigger defenders. A very good mid-range shooter, but still needs continued improvement in his consistency on his jump shot with range to reach his full potential as a player. Very good defender with good anticipation that likes to play the passing lanes. An active rebounder. Has excellent potential and a very bright future ahead of him. A very intriguing prospect. Rated as the top overall prospect in Arizona's 2013 class.
