July 9, 2010
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women's basketball head coach Beth Burns announced Friday that Chelsea Hopkins (Las Vegas, Nev.) is transferring to the Aztecs from Duke University. Hopkins, a 5-8 point guard, has two years of eligibility remaining and will be able to play for SDSU beginning with the 2011-12 season.
"We couldn't be more excited to announce the first piece of our 2011 recruiting class," Burns said. "Chelsea Hopkins is a next-level point guard. She is extremely talented and is at her best in a fast-paced, full-court game. `C-Hop' is an incredible athlete. Her skill set, court savvy, leadership skills and IQ make her an immediate impact player for us."
Hopkins appeared in 46 contests for the Blue Devils from 2008-10, helping the team to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight this past year, and a combined record of 57-12.
Hopkins signed with Duke after a successful four-year career at Mojave High School in Las Vegas, where she led the state in scoring as a junior (27.7 ppg.) and senior (28.5 ppg.). The 2006 and 2008 Las Vegas Athletic Club Female Athlete of the Year was a two-time first-team all-state and three-time all-conference honoree. Her freshman season she was named the state of Nevada's Gatorade Newcomer of the Year.
As a prep, Hopkins was rated the 63rd-best player in America and the No. 12 point guard by Hoopgurlz.com, and played during the summer for coach Brian Crichlow's West Coast Premier Black club team, alongside current Aztec guard Kiyana Stamps.
"I'm really excited to join the Aztec family," Hopkins said. "I wanted to come closer to home and be a part of a program that's building something and going in a positive direction. Kiyana (Stamps) is a good friend of mine and I'm excited to get the chance to play with her in the future. I cannot wait to build on what San Diego State did last year in the Sweet Sixteen and excited to see what the future has in store for me and the team."
Hopkins has also excelled in the classroom, earning a spot on the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll and in high school, boasted a 4.7 GPA and was her class salutatorian and treasurer.
"Chelsea is an excellent student and our College of Business gets a big assist on her final decision to attend SDSU," Burns said. "With a redshirt year this season, she will have the added opportunity to complete her MBA, before she finishes her athletic eligibility."
The daughter of Carla and Tony Hopkins, she is set to enroll in classes at San Diego State this August.