Tom Koppens
October 9, 2023
Scotty Hopson
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 8/08/89
- Place of Birth: Hopkinsville, Kentucky (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 93
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Tennessee (2008–2011)
- NBL DEBUT: 18/10/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 30
- LAST NBL GAME: 25/06/21
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 31
- NBL History: New Zealand 2020 | Melbourne 2021
- Championships: 1
- Melbourne (2021)
BIO: Brian Scott “Scotty” Hopson was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky (USA). He played college basketball for the University of Tennessee (2008-2011) before playing professionally in Greece, Israel, Turkey, Spain, China and Croatia.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Scotty Hopson made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 30 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.
In 2019/20, Hopson averaged 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists as the Breakers finished in sixth place (15-13).
MELBOURNE UNITED
2020/21
After multiple seasons trying to get import Casey Prather back onto the court, both United and Prather mutually agreed to terminate the second season of his contract. Melbourne would then rejig their roster by adding Jack White (via Duke University) and Japanese star Yudai Baba (one-year deal), who signed with the team on an NBL Special Restricted Player contract. The team also re-signed team captain Chris Goulding (three-year deal), David Barlow (one year deal), Mason Peatling (three year deal) and Sam McDaniel (one year deal). United would rely on their local talent this season, signing Scotty Hopson (via Europe) as their lone import for the season and, as their last move, was able to sign Australian Boomers forward Jock Landale (one-year deal) mere weeks prior to the season tip-off, after his Lithuania contracted was voided due to Covid Travel Restrictions.
During the first month of the season, United lost rookie Jack White (9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds), who was a strong pick for the rookie of the year award, when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Cairns. With White requiring 12 months of rehabilitation, retired centre David Andersen was signed as an injury replacement player.
Another injury hit when Chris Goulding (15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists) was ruled out for the majority of February 2021. As United battled through the injury bug, Jock Landale (16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks) would lead Melbourne in scoring as the team finished in first place (28-8). Melbourne would then face Victorian rivals, the South East Melbourne Phoenix as their semi finals opponents but with the Victorian lockdown keeping both team’s out of the state, their semi finals series began in empty arenas in held in Sydney.
The two Melbourne team’s split the first two games playing at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena before returning to Melbourne to play the deciding game three with the winner going on to face the Perth Wildcats in the Grand Final. After trailing 32-15 early in the second quarter, Melbourne’s defence locked in to hold South East Melbourne to just 42 points the rest of the night while scoring 69 themselves. With Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) equalling his season-high for points, shooting 11-13 from the floor and a perfect 3/3 from beyond, United came away with the victory (84-74).
In the same game, Goulding (14 points) notched up his 350th game while Mitch McCarron (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Scotty Hopson (9 points and 6 boards), and Jo Lual-Acuil (8 points and 3 rebounds) all played important roles in the win. Reuben Te Rangi (22 points) and Mitch Creek (19 points) were key contributors for the Phoenix.
Due to the border restrictions by the Western Australian state government the Perth Wildcats (the lower seed) hosted the first two games of the Grand Final series. While the Wildcat’s remained competitive without their injured superstar Bryce Cotton United would win both games in Perth and return to Melbourne to host the third game (United would have also hosted the fourth and fifth games had they not already won the series by the third game).
A sold-out 5,000-strong crowd at John Cain Arena (the maximum allowed within Covid restrictions) witnessed United defeat Perth (81-76) in what would be Melbourne’s sixth championship and their second under the United branding. Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) continued to rack up stats in every category, making him a obvious choice for the Finals MVP.
Hopson would appear in 34 games for the season, averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
Scotty Hopson played two seasons in the NBL, playing for both the New Zealand Breakers and the Melbourne United. He averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 55 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 31 | Melbourne | 28-8 (1) | 34 | 790.3 | 406 | 118 | 92 | 20 | 98 | 22 | 4 | 71 | 61 | 162 | 379 | 43% | 38 | 112 | 34% | 44 | 66 | 67% | 49% | 48% | 25 |
| 2019-20 | 30 | New Zealand | 15-13 (6) | 21 | 636.8 | 385 | 119 | 95 | 16 | 103 | 21 | 7 | 66 | 47 | 150 | 318 | 47% | 36 | 90 | 40% | 49 | 74 | 66% | 55% | 53% | 31 | Totals | 55 | 1427 | 791 | 237 | 187 | 36 | 201 | 43 | 11 | 137 | 108 | 312 | 697 | 44.8% | 74 | 202 | 36.6% | 93 | 140 | 66.4% | 52% | 50% | 31 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 31 | Melbourne | 28-8 (1) | 34 | 23.2 | 11.9 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 11.1 | 43% | 1.1 | 3.3 | 34% | 1.3 | 1.9 | 67% | 49% | 48% | 25 |
| 2019-20 | 30 | New Zealand | 15-13 (6) | 21 | 30.3 | 18.3 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 7.1 | 15.1 | 47% | 1.7 | 4.3 | 40% | 2.3 | 3.5 | 66% | 55% | 53% | 31 | Total | 55 | 25.9 | 14.4 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 5.7 | 12.7 | 44.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 36.6% | 1.3 | 3.7 | 66.4% | 52% | 50% | 31 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 31 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Scotty Hopson did not play in a major FIBA tournament, but did represent USA at the 2018 FIBA Qualifiers.
NBA EXPERIENCE
Hopson also had a short stint in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 and the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.
In February 2015, playing in the NBA G League, he set a Sioux Falls Skyforce franchise scoring record with 52-points against Reno Bighorns.
Hopson played 3 games in the NBA. He averaged 0.7 points, 0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- April 6, 2014: Assigned to the Canton Charge of the G-League.
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April 10, 2014: Assigned to the Canton Charge of the G-League.
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April 15, 2014: Recalled from the Canton Charge of the G-League.
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July 15, 2014: As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the New Orleans Pelicans with Alonzo Gee and a 2015 1st round draft pick (Sam Dekker was later selected) to the Houston Rockets; the Houston Rockets traded Ömer Aşık, Omri Casspi and cash to the New Orleans Pelicans; the Houston Rockets traded a trade exception to the Washington Wizards; the New Orleans Pelicans traded Melvin Ely to the Washington Wizards; and the Washington Wizards traded Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets.
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September 17, 2014: Traded by the Houston Rockets with Alonzo Gee to the Sacramento Kings for Jason Terry, a 2015 2nd round draft pick (Rakeem Christmas was later selected) and a 2016 2nd round draft pick (Chinanu Onuaku was later selected).
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September 24, 2014: Waived by the Sacramento Kings.
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February 26, 2018: Signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
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October 10, 2018: Signed a contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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October 12, 2018: Waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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February 14, 2019: Signed a 10-day contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 81% | 91% | 73% | 62% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 31 | 10 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 312 | 697 | 44.8% | 74 | 202 | 36.6% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 28 | Dallas | SG | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 27% | 0% |
| 2013-14 | 24 | Cleveland | SG | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 10% | 0% | Total | 3 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 2 | 4 | 50% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 28 | Dallas | SG | 1 | 0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50% | 27% | 0% |
| 2013-14 | 24 | Cleveland | SG | 2 | 0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.5 | 1.0 | 50% | 10% | 0% | Total | 3 | 0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0% | 0.7 | 0% | 0.7 | 1.3 | 50% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Played under coach Dan Shamir last season in Israel for Hapoel Holon.
COLLEGE
Scotty Hopson arrived at Tennessee as one of the headline recruits in the 2008 class, rated the No. 5 player nationally by Rivals.com and a five-star prospect who was listed as the No. 2 shooting guard in the country, before suiting up for Bruce Pearl’s Volunteers from 2008–09 to 2010–11.
Hopson was a McDonald’s All-American and a second-team Parade All-American coming out of high school, then stepped straight into a major role in Knoxville, playing all 34 games as a freshman in 2008–09 and making 30 starts while averaging 9.2 points per game and leading Tennessee in both three-point percentage (.357) and made threes (46).
His freshman impact was recognised immediately, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honours from the league’s coaches and collecting two SEC Freshman of the Week awards during the season as Tennessee pushed through conference play under Pearl.
In 2009–10, Hopson took another step as a sophomore, playing 37 games and starting 36 while lifting his production to 12.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and he was part of a Tennessee group that reached the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight run in 2010.
By 2010–11, Hopson was the established backcourt scorer and entered the season with heavyweight league respect, earning preseason All-SEC recognition, then delivering his biggest year as a junior by starting all 32 games he played and leading the Vols at 17.0 points per game (fifth in the SEC) while also topping Tennessee in three-point percentage (.376) and minutes (29.3).
That junior season was stacked with markers: Hopson was a coaches’ first-team All-SEC selection, added second-team All-SEC honours from the Associated Press, and was named second-team NABC All-District 21 after becoming the clear primary option for Tennessee’s offence.
His signature stretch came during the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden, where he was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as Tennessee won the event, highlighted by an 18-point night in the championship win over Villanova and an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double against VCU in the semifinals.
Hopson’s 2010–11 run also featured a statement performance against elite opposition, slicing up No. 3 Pittsburgh for a career-high 27 points in an 83–76 road win, one of the marquee non-conference results of Tennessee’s season.
Across his three seasons in Knoxville (2008–2011), Hopson finished with 1,305 points across 103 games, starting 98 of them, and averaged 12.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while hitting 151 three-pointers at a .354 clip, giving Tennessee a long-term wing scorer who grew from SEC All-Freshman to first-team All-SEC by his junior year.
After the 2010–11 season, Hopson declared for the NBA Draft following his junior year, closing his Tennessee chapter after three high-volume seasons under Bruce Pearl and moving on from college basketball in 2011.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL Second Team
- McDonald's All-American (2008)
Related
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