George Washington University Athletics
Men's Basketball Adds Kopriva For 2011-12
7/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 6, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC -- George Washington men's basketball coach Mike Lonergan has announced the addition of frontcourt standout John Kopriva. Kopriva will join the basketball team in the fall of 2011. Kopriva joins incoming freshman Jonathan Davis who signed in November.
A 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward from Wauwatosa, Wisc., Kopriva averaged 14 points, six rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 58 percent as a senior last season at Milwaukee's Marquette High School under coach David Cooks. Kopriva helped lead the Hilltoppers to a 16-8 record last season and a combined record of 53-20 (.726) during his three seasons on the varsity.
"We are excited about John Kopriva coming to The George Washington University and joining our basketball family," Lonergan said. "He is a special young man and I think he has a bright future ahead of him. I look forward to coaching John and Jonathan Davis, who has reaffirmed his decision to join the Colonials."
A three-year varsity starter, Kopriva has been named Team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year at Marquette H.S. He also has been named to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association 2011 All Star and All-Academic Team and was twice-named First Team All-Conference in both 2009-10 and 2010-11. He helped lead the Hilltoppers to the Division 1 State Semifinals as a junior year and the Conference title as a senior.
A two-sport star at Marquette H.S., Kopriva also played quarterback for the Hilltoppers' football team. On the gridiron, he led the squad to a 10-3 record--including a 10-game win streak--that ended in the state semifinals.
"John Kopriva is a competitor on the court and in the classroom," Marquette H.S. coach Cooks said. "It is his drive to be his best that separates him from many of his peers. His work ethic, commitment and dedication are second to none. He is a skilled athletic forward who runs the floor, scores in transition, finishes around the basket and makes perimeter shots in the half court. He is a great defender and the consummate teammate who embodies the qualities that define the best in student-athlete. I am proud to have been his coach."
For information on purchasing tickets for the 2011-12 GW men's basketball season, please visit www.GWsports.com/tickets.
