Amir Coffey, a senior wing from Hopkins who is considered the state’s top prospect in the Class of 2016, signed with Minnesota in the fall.
Coffey is averaging 20.9 points per game this season, leading the Royals to a dominating season. He has scored in double figures in most games with a season-best 35 points versus rival Minnetonka.
Coffey suffered a season-ending knee injury against Burnsville earlier in the season as a junior. Coffey played in only three games and averaged 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He shot 54.1% from the field, 35.3% from three-point range and 65% from the line.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Coffey to talk about his senior season and his upcoming future at Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: How pleased are you with how well you have been playing so far this season?
Amir Coffey: I am very pleased. We are playing well. Just got to polish a few things and keep playing.
Gopher Hole: You had a big win earlier in the season against Apple Valley, a team that you might meet later in the state tournament. In this game against you were down by nine points and against Apple Valley, you were down by 15 points and were able to rally back. Is that something that you guys take pride in. knowing that you can make those type of comebacks?
Amir Coffey: Not really. First off, we don’t even want to be in those situations. Sometimes, they happen and basketball is a game of runs. You can’t get too excited when you are up by ten or when you are down by ten. You just have to keep playing and play to the clock hits zero.
Gopher Hole: How about your own individual play? You have come back from the injury and it doesn’t seem like you are missing a beat at all and it seems like you are even better than you were before?
Amir Coffey: I think that I am playing all right. I am hard on myself, so I think that I have many things to improve. I think that there are parts of my game. I need to get stronger and trying to play good basketball.
Gopher Hole: You signed with Minnesota in the early signing period. Do you feel that the weight off your shoulders has helped you focus on having a great senior season?
Amir Coffey: Definitely. That recruiting process is no joke. Calling and texting every day different schools, so when I signed with Minnesota, it was just focus on one school and focus on my last year of high school and senior year and just dialing in.
Gopher Hole: You probably enjoyed the recruiting process for awhile, but did it start to get old?
Amir Coffey: Definitely. It is a blessing. I know a lot of kids don’t have that and wish that they did, but after awhile, it gets pretty old and you just want to be done with it.
Gopher Hole: I know that you have been a few Gopher game and I know that they are struggling, being such a young team. What have you seen from the Gophers so far this year?
Amir Coffey: They are competing. They are a group of young guys. A couple of freshman mistakes going on in the games, but they work hard in practice. They compete, so hopefully next year, we’ll pick it up and win some games.
Gopher Hole: I know that a lot of people and fans are thinking with you and Michael (Hurt) and Eric (Curry) coming in and Reggie Lynch and Davonte Fitzergald, who are sitting out, that next year should be a really good year for the team. What are you seeing from the team based on the returning players and the newcomers?
Amir Coffey: I see a lot of potential. We have a top 20 recruiting class coming in. Two very good players. A big man, Reggie, was among the leading shot blockers in the NCAA last year and Fitzgerald is a great shooter, so we are going to have a lot of size next year and with the pieces coming back next year, they’ll be more experienced and ready to go.
Gopher Hole: Have they talked to you much about your role for next year.
Amir Coffey: They have. I am more of a combo guard, making plays for myself and my teammates. Playing within the team. A combo guard coming off screens and picks. Bringing the ball up. Stuff like that.