CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte is pleased to announce Reggie Hopkins (Gastonia, N.C., Ashbrook) as the February InterCon Male Student Athlete of the Month.
"After early season struggles, Reggie emerged as a team-leader on the floor and in the locker room," said head coach Wes Long. "He is a quiet person by nature, so his leadership is best observed by watching his effort and his attention to detail in preparation for games."
Hopkins, a junior from Gastonia, N.C., averaged 17.4 points per game, 3.2 assists per game and led the team in scoring in five out of nine games. Additionally, Hopkins led the team in assists in five of nine games during the month.
His 49.5% total field goal percentage, nearly 50% from the three point range and an impressive 82.5% from the free throw line helped Hopkins score 20 or more points in four games and post double-digit scoring in eight of the nine February contests.
Against Pfeiffer on Feb. 12 Hopkins scored 27, the most he had all month. He followed that performance up on Feb. 28 in a last second loss to Limestone in the first round of the Conference Carolinas tournament with a 24 point effort.
"There isn't anyone who practices and plays harder than Reggie Hopkins, and he is one of the most competitive people I have been around in my years in college basketball both as a player and coach," said Long.
Hopkins is studying psychology while at Queens.
Members of the sports information department sat down with Reggie and asked him a few questions:
How does it feel to be Student Athlete of the Month?
Unexpected
Why did you choose to attend Queens?
I enjoy the fact that everyone communicates, it's close to home, and the professors are very hands on
What are your career goals?
To play professional basketball
What does it take to be academically successful at Queens?
Lots of studying and very good time management. ( Discipline)
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I trying to write down everything I have to do day by day and try my hardest to get them all done.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I study the things I had trouble remembering the night before multiple times and try to relax.
Any rituals before a game?
I try to visualize my opponent and things they like to do. Then I try to visualize possible outcomes. I expect the unexpected.
What is your favorite quote?
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why it's called the present.
What are your goals for your team this season?
My goals for the 09-10 is for the team to come together and play better being we have better chemistry now and win more games and return to the NCAA tournament.
What are your favorite basketball memories here at Queens?
The funny moments the team shared in the locker room. Also watching certain players grow and see the mistakes I made my freshman year.
What is the most rewarding part about being a student athlete?
Being able to use my basketball abilities to get an education.
What is one fun fact people don't know about you?
My childhood dream was to be a Lawyer
