Simon Wright, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Minnetonka (MN) Hopkins, is one of the state’s top players in the Class of 2017.
Wright is averaging 7.7 points per game as the Royals are off to the State Tournament again. He has scored in double figures in numerous games this season.
Gopher Hole recently caught up Wright to learn the latest on his recruitment, which already includes an offer from a Big East school.
Gopher Hole: When did you pick up your scholarship offer from Providence?
Simon Wright: I picked it up after my AAU season, so it was about early August.
Gopher Hole: What was the reaction since not many sophomores are picking up offers from Big East schools?
Simon Wright: I was surprised. I didn’t know it was going to come. They called into Rene Pulley and they wanted me to come to their Elite Camp and they told my dad to call them and then they just gave me the scholarship.
Gopher Hole: Did you ever go out there?
Simon Wright: No, I didn’t because I couldn’t make it, but I went out there to their Midnight Madness, so I visited then.
Gopher Hole: That has to make you feel pretty proud to get an offer that early?
Simon Wright: Yes, it did.
Gopher Hole: Does that make you want to work even harder to get other looks from other schools?
Simon Wright: Yes. It made me see that I could be a high major player, if I want to put the work in.
Gopher Hole: What other schools are you hearing from?
Simon Wright: I have heard from Minnesota, Creighton, Northern Iowa, Drake. Virginia, a little bit.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to go to any college basketball games this year?
Simon Wright: I went to Minnesota when they played UMBC.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers? What are they saying to you?
Simon Wright: I haven’t talked to them for awhile. I went to a football game and a basketball game.
Gopher Hole: You brother, Jake, played at Hopkins and is play at The Citadel as a freshman. Does he talk to you about recruiting? Do you rely on him a little bit for advice?
Simon Wright: Yes. My parents kind of like know because this is their second time going through, I guess. They just said don’t get too excited about anything because colleges talk to a bunch of kids. It doesn’t really mean anything unless you get an offer, so that is kind of the attitude I have with it.
Gopher Hole: Do you think it helps having someone who has gone through it?
Simon Wright: Oh, definitely. It definitely helps
Gopher Hole: Do you think that you have surprised some people because a lot of people thought that you might struggle without Coffey, but you are playing extremely well?
Simon Wright: Yes, we have surprised a lot of people. I like it. Everyone underestimates us.
Gopher Hole: Have you even surprised yourselves, to be honest?
Simon Wright: A little bit, yes. Everyone thought we weren’t going to win as lot of Lake Conference games.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to have the opportunity to play Division I basketball?
Simon Wright: That would be amazing. It has been like a dream of mine ever since I was little. I used to watch J.J. Redick at Duke. It would be amazing.
Gopher Hole: What things are you really working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Simon Wright: Shooting. I am getting shots up every day. I am really trying to go to the boards more. When I go to the boards, the rest of the game comes to me. That is what I am doing.
Gopher Hole: How would you compare your game to your brother’s? He was a really good outside shooter, but it seems like you are a little bit more of an inside player than he was?
Simon Wright: He is more of a shooter. I was born with more height and I am a little bit stronger, so I try to go inside and do what I can. If I have the open shot, I’ll take it.
Gopher Hole: Talking about the Gophers, what would it mean to maybe play for the home state school?
Simon Wright: It would be really fun. I have been a fan of there, too, for awhile, so it would be a great opportunity, if it happened.
Gopher Hole: What are your plans for AAU? Do you know yet?
Simon Wright: I’m not sure yet. I might go back to Pulley and play with their 16’s.