[Rosiak's Blog] Interview with Jared Swopshire

[ToddRosiakSays]

Interview with Jared Swopshire


Much of the hoopla surrounding last Saturday's 'Marquette Madness' had to do with the official visit of Chicago-area star Iman Shumpert, considered one of the top 25 players in the nation.

Aside from he and Mobile, Ala. guard Nick Williams - who committed to MU in the Summer of 2006 - there was one other player making an official visit that, while maybe not as hyped, could fill another major need for the Golden Eagles on the wing: Jared Swopshire.

The 6-foot-8, 200-pound native of St. Louis is entering his second season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and has narrowed his college choices down to MU, Clemson and Louisville. He's already visited Clemson and will head to Louisville this weekend.

Here's what he had to say about his visit to MU:

How did your visit go?

Great visit. I really enjoyed it, had a lot of fun hanging out with the guys, hanging out with the coaches and just getting to know everybody better.

How surprised were you by the appearance of Dwyane Wade?

That was real special. It was really nice.

What did you like specifically about MU?

The atmosphere is real good, everybody is like a big family. That's the kind of atmosphere I'm looking for.

What were your impressions of the MU players?

The team works really good together. Everyone is out there trying to work hard. It's a real good atmosphere.

IMG Academy is different from most high schools and prep schools in the country. How is it working out for you so far?

It's real good. We wake up in the morning, train every day, go to school in the afternoon, come back at night and work out again. It's like a college schedule, kind of.

How has IMG helped you improve your game?

Just getting stronger, faster, quicker, all that stuff. It's really helped develop me.

You're taking your final official visit to Louisville this weekend. Do you have a timetable for a decision?

Probably like right after I go to Louisville I'm going to sit down with my parents and coaches and discuss it and make my decision.

What will weigh most heavily in your decision?

I'm looking for a place where I can go first to get a great education, play for a coach that's going to help develop me so I can get to the next level, the NBA, and going to a place where we can win a national title.

What position(s) are you most comfortable playing?

The 2, 3, 4. Whatever the coach needs me to play. Whatever the mismatches are. That's what I feel like I can play.

How would you describe your game?

I like to run. Very skilled player. I've got length, I can shoot the ball, handle the ball. So it's an all-around game.

Has the recruiting process been pretty crazy?

At first it was. Now, because I've narrowed my choices down, it's starting to die down a little bit. But it's been fun for me.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2007/10/17/interview-with-jared-swopshire.aspx

[muwarrior87]

Interview with Jared Swopshire


What position(s) are you most comfortable playing?
The 2, 3, 4. Whatever the coach needs me to play. Whatever the mismatches are. That's what I feel like I can play.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2007/10/17/interview-with-jared-swopshire.aspx

that's nice to see. open to playing wherever needed

[Tulsa Warrior]

He sounds like a Blackledge with a higher skill level and four years to work with him on development.

[LastWarrior]

I'd love to have him commit to MU but this type of size and skillset combo sounds like a UL/ Slick Rick type of player.  I think this would be a major coup for Crean and staff if they could land Jared.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

He sounds like a Blackledge with a higher skill level and four years to work with him on development.

Blackledge? How do you get that comparison? He sounds more like a Matthews to me!

[tomcrean4pres]

I don't think its good news that he is going to go to L'ville before he commits... and one of the things he said is he wants to go somewhere where he thinks he can win a national championship and maybe that top 5 recruiting class that they got going over there would cater that... idk what L'ville's academics are like but I don't feel to confident with this one...

[NCMUFan]

There must be some uncertainty at this point or he would of commited already to somewhere.  He probably wants to weigh all the +'s of every program.  Hopefully Marquette will have the most in his eyes.  We believe so!

[ecompt]

I think he's headed to Louisville, where he won't have to worry about academics at all.