Idaho signs two, loses yet another
The comings and goings continue with the University of Idaho men’s basketball program. One of the comings was one of the goings a year ago and now he’s coming back.
Mac Hopson, who originally committed to Idaho but changed his mind when UI fired coach Leonard Perry after the 2005-06 season, has decided to transfer to Idaho. Hopson, son of former Vandals great Phil Hopson, played at Washington State as a sophomore but opted to transfer because of reduced playing time in the second half of the season.
“I signed Tuesday,” said Hopson, who will sit out next season under NCAA transfer rules. “I just feel like that’s where God wants me to go.”
Idaho on Wednesday announced the signing of Terrence Simmons, a guard from Connors State College in Warner, Okla., and the exit of forward David Jackson, who had a promising season as a true freshman.
Jackson is the fourth prominent defection in the program in the last three weeks, joining O.J. Avworo, Harvey Perry and top recruit Andre McFarland. Jackson said he will look to transfer to a Division I or junior college.
“It’s time for a change,” said Jackson, who averaged 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and made 45 percent of his field-goal attempts, tied for first among Vandals regulars. “I just felt like I needed to find somewhere else I could finish my college career and education. I have to do what’s best for me and I wish the program the best of luck.”
Head coach George Pfeifer said he “wishes David the best. He chose to take another path and I respect that.” Pfeifer said Miles Webb, Sebastien Taulbee and walk-on Andrew Madsen also won’t return.
Webb made one start and averaged 10.4 minutes in 22 appearances. Taulbee appeared in two games and was sidelined most of the season with a knee injury. Madsen averaged 10.7 minutes in 19 games.
Hopson said he had scholarship offers from Montana, Montana State and Portland State. He said he received interest from Portland, Santa Clara, Saint Mary’s and Boise State.
Idaho was the only school he visited “and I already knew it pretty well,” said Hopson, who averaged 4.2 points and two assists per game for the 26-8 Cougars. Hopson averaged 13.7 points and 3.8 assists as a freshman at North Idaho College.
Phil Hopson was inducted into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame earlier this month at a banquet in Coeur d’Alene. He played on two Big Sky Conference championship teams coached by Don Monson in the early 1980s. The 1981-82 team went 27-3 and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament.
“My dad thought Idaho would be a good fit for me,” Mac said.
Simmons, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 10 points and five assists at Connors State. He will probably replace Avworo, who started 24 games at point guard as a true freshman. Simmons led Durant (Miss.) High to a state championship in his senior year.
Simmons shot 42 percent from the floor, 32 percent on 3-pointers and 73 percent on free throws.
UI women depart
Three players won’t return to the Idaho women’s basketball team, according to a school release. Reserve guard Stephanie Jones, a transfer from North Idaho College, has been dismissed from the team for violating the athletic department’s code of conduct, according to the release.
Junior Liz Witte has decided to no longer play basketball, the release states. Witte made a team-high 58 3-pointers and averaged 10.4 points last season. The release also said walk-on Molly Malone has left the team for personal reasons.