By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Recently, Tennessee Tech men's basketball head coach John Pelphrey announced the signing of six individuals for the 2020-21 season. This week, we continue to take a closer look at each member of the newest class of Golden Eagles.
The only center in the group of signees, Marcus Hopkins is set to join the Golden Eagles for their next campaign after spending two years in junior college, including the last season at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. The 7-footer also played one season at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Fla.
"The biggest factor in my decision to attend Tennessee Tech was the way the coaches align themselves with the players," Hopkins explained. "The system is run off of a code and this code brings inevitable success. Knowing I will be coached hard and also will be able to further my studies at a blessed institution made the offer irresistible. I have high confidence in the program and the players already in the jerseys. It's a family of talented guys and it will be a real life-changing experience to be a part of."
"It was clear early in the process of recruiting Marcus that he was someone who was looking for a positive culture and an opportunity to be a student-athlete," Pelphrey said. "He quickly bought into our 'Code' and 'Leaders First' mentality."
Hopkins played in 23 games at Daytona State as a sophomore, averaging 2.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 56 percent from the floor. During his freshman campaign at Palm Beach State, the Oakland, Calif. native participated in 30 games while averaging 2.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks on 58.5 percent shooting.
"What I loved most during my recruitment was the communication and honesty of the coaches," Hopkins added. "It's hard to come by. They all reached out and made me feel more as if I wasn't being recruited, but instead, I was being brought in somewhere I belong."
Beginning his senior year of high school as a summer addition at Oldsmar Christian High School in Oldsmar, Fla., Hopkins made a mid-year transfer to Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J. In 15 games, he averaged 8.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while totaling six double-doubles.
"'The Code' philosophy definitely is the core of how success is reached," Hopkins said of the team's 'Code'. "It's something that can be used not only on the floor to win games, but serves as a formula to winning in life."
He helped Pope John finish with a 17-11 record and 7-1 mark in NJAC play, dropping a season-high of 17 points at North Hunterdon High School and hauling in a season-best 15 rebounds at Sparta High School. The incoming junior big man also spent his first three years of prep ball at Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, Calif.
"I'm looking forward to being part of the Golden Eagle community, winning a lot of games and building relationships that will last a lifetime," Hopkins said.
