My Twin, Scotty Hopson

Jan. 27, 2010

I call him my twin for a reason.

As I write about my teammate and best friend, Scotty Hopson, it almost seems as though I am writing about myself.

When I first met Scotty, it was in the second session of summer school prior to our freshman year. I had heard many things, and knew of him due to the fact that we were in the same recruiting class. I mainly knew about him being ranked the fifth-best player in the country, but really began to watch his career in the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic Game. That's when I knew he was really talented.

However, I will never forget my initial impression of Scotty, which is similar to how people used to view me.

When I watched the McDonald's dunk contest and saw Scotty's demeanor (the confident "swag" he walked with, and the "cooler than the other side of the pillow" look on his face), I started to think to myself, "Oh, now here's another big-time player who's going to come in and be cocky and arrogant."

However, to my surprise, when I first met Scotty, after just one conversation I realized that he was the exact opposite. He was goofy, funny, friendly and real (real being a term I use with very few people in this world).

When I first met him it was almost like I was looking in a mirror. Besides the fact that we had the same frame (though I was clearly buffer in the biceps area... LOL) and were just a couple inches apart in height, his personality was exactly like mine.

I remember making a joke about something that was not even that funny, but for some reason I felt it was hilarious, and Scotty started cracking up as if he were a little kid hearing a joke for the first time. It's the same way I laugh at things when I find them funny.

That's how I knew we were going to be best friends.

Although we grew up in completely different environments--as I grew up in the city of Los Angeles and he grew up in the hospitable family community of Hopkinsville, Ky.--we had similarities in lifestyle.

My second mother, Ms. Hopson (Scotty's mom, who by the way, makes some of the best cornbread I have EVER had) raised Scotty in the church and instilled good morals in him. She taught him to be a good kid who stays out of harm's way.

Scotty has no tattoos, just like me. And he was the first person on campus who I went to church with. Even now, with all of the headlines, achievements and accolades he has garnered by way of his dedication and hard work on and off the court (SEC All-Freshman Team, two-time SEC Player of the Week, our top scorer this season, etc.) he is still one of the most humble and down-to-earth people I have met.

He also enjoys doing what he is doing, which is the best part about it.

Scotty has always had a way with people. He's extremely personable, but more than anything he's a great friend. A lot of times when you are on teams or when you meet people throughout life, you wonder if you'll stay in touch with them later on down the road.

Well, I think it is safe to say that Scotty Hopson will be a brother--a "twin" to me--for the rest of my life.