Joplin follows Smart to Marquette
BROOKFIELD, Wis. (BVM) — David Joplin, the No. 114-ranked player and No. 19-ranked power forward in the Class of 2021, has officially announced he will be playing basketball at Marquette University next season.
The moment former @BC_Hoops star @David_Joplin24 announced he’s going to play college basketball for @MarquetteMBB! pic.twitter.com/kgbd7MBytJ
— Stephanie Sutton (@Steph__Sutton) April 14, 2021
“These past two weeks have been crazy,” Joplin said Wednesday as he stood at a podium set up in the middle of the Brookfield Central High School gymnasium.
The 6-foot-7, 215-pound senior Lancer had been committed and signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Texas. However, following Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart’s departure from the program and then hiring at Marquette, Joplin requested a release from his NLI.
After a lot of discussion with my family I have decided to request a release from my letter of intent with the University of Texas Men’s Basketball team.
— David Joplin (@David_Joplin24) April 3, 2021
Joplin joins Keeyan Itejere and Emarion Ellis as fellow Longhorn recruits to follow Smart to Marquette. Joplin’s decision to follow his future coach is important as it is an early win for Smart and his goal of recruiting close to home near Milwaukee. Smart has also offered scholarships to Class of 2022 standouts Seth Trimble, who attends Menomonee Falls, and Leon Bond, who attends Wauwatosa East.
As a senior, Joplin averaged 25.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists and will look to play a big role in Smart’s first season as the Golden Eagles’ coach.
