Making a varsity team in any sport is a feat typically reserved for upperclassmen, whose skills have developed enough to positively contribute to their team or organization. However, some possess talent that can’t be reserved until their junior or senior years, and freshman Jordan Hopkins is a prime example. Hopkins is the lone freshman on the varsity basketball team and continues to learn and grow as the season progresses.

Hopkins began playing basketball at an early age and has developed his passion with the help of those around him.

“I grew up watching it, and I started playing basketball when I was 7,” Hopkins said. “My dad played college ball, and I fell in love with it then.”

Making the transition from middle school basketball to varsity basketball in a short amount of time has been an adjustment for Hopkins.

“It was kind of hard the first couple games because I wasn’t used to playing against bigger, faster, stronger people,” Hopkins said. “In middle school, there wasn’t good competition, so I wasn’t really being pushed to get better. Now, in high school with Coach Gary … if I make a mistake, he’ll tell me what I did wrong.”

Despite his age, Hopkins has already received scholarship offers to play basketball at the collegiate level.

“I was in class, and I got a text message from the [Coach at LSU],” Hopkins said “Then he talked to my dad to confirm it. I was just super excited when it all happened.”

Hopkins’ personal style of play has been inspired by a couple of professional players. He tries to implement aspects of their game into his own to contribute to his team in any way he can.

“I kind of play like a combination of James Harden and De’aaron Fox,” Hopkins said. “They both are left-handed like me, and they have really shifty moves that they use to get around defenders, and they also can score the basketball really well. I play good defense, get my teammates open shots and I just like to make my teammates better in whatever way I can.

Making his teammates better is a similar quality that his favorite player of all time has mastered. Over the years, Hopkins has taken note of learning and executing that quality.

“My favorite player of all time is Kyrie Irving. I like how he always makes whoever he’s around better,” Hopkins said. “He also plays at his own pace and can finish around the basket at a high level.”

While it has been tough being the youngest on the team, Hopkins has grown immensely over time thanks to being around older teammates. He’s also experienced moments that most freshmen don’t get to have.

“Hanging out with older people shows you what it’s like [when you’re older], and … getting to start as a freshman was a very special moment.”