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Brookfield Central's Joplin commits to Marquette

04/14/2021, 11:30am CDT
By Mark Miller

One of the most consistent and versatile players in Wisconsin's talented 2021 class has decided to stay home and play his college basketball for Marquette University and new coach Shaka Smart.  

Brookfield Central forward David Joplin signed a letter of intent to play at Marquette today in front of family and friends at Brookfield Central. 

The 6-foot-7 Joplin, a four-year varsity performer for coach Dan Wandrey at Brookfield Central, had committed last fall to Shaka Smart when Smart was the head coach at Texas.

But when Smart left Texas to coach at Marquette late last month, Joplin re-opened his recruitment and subsequently heard from many NCAA Division I high-major programs, including Georgia, Minnesota and Missouri, among others.

But in the end, Joplin opted to stick with his commitment to Smart and his assistant coaches, and play close to home at Marquette.

"When I first heard Shaka was leaving Texas and coming here to coach at Marquette, I was like, 'man, this is crazy,' " Joplin said. "He came right to me. Shaka is a great dude and it was a no brainer to play for him. And now I get the chance to play in front of my family and friends, too." 

Neill Berry, who recruited Oshkosh North's Tyrese Haliburton to Iowa State before leaving to join Smart's staff at Texas in 2018, also was instrumental in Joplin opting to cast his lot with Marquette. Berry is expected to be hired as one of Smart's top assistant coaches at Marquette.

"Definitely, coach Berry was instrumental in my decision," Joplin said. "He is my guy. Ever since he reached out to me last year, I have talked to him two or three times per day via text or a phone call. I'm excited to get the chance to play for coach Smart and coach Berry and all of the other coaches coming to Marquette."

Joplin averaged 10.7 points as a freshman, 17.0 points as a sophomore, 23.2 points as a junior and 25.6 points as a senior. He scored 1,929 points and grabbed 969 rebounds in 100 high school games, and played a key role on the Lancers' 2019 WIAA Division 1 state-title team. 

"My memories of my high school career ... wow, there are so many," Joplin said. "My freshman year, we got knocked out of the playoffs in the second round. My sophomore year, we won it all and that is definitely the highlight of my high school career. Bonding with that group and guys like Cole (Nau) was incredible. Junior year, I remember my game against Sussex Hamilton when my recruiting really took off. And this past season, I just cherished my time with my teammates because with COVID, nothing was guaranteed."

Joplin scored 36 points in a 76-73 win over Sussex Hamilton as a junior and picked up several NCAA Division I offers following the contest, including one from Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing. 

Now, he'll get the chance to play against Ewing and the Hoyas in the Big East Conference.

"Versatility is the key for me at Marquette," Joplin said. "I can play either forward position and, depending on the line-up, can score inside or outside."

Joplin shot 37 percent (46 of 124) from three-point range as a senior while also getting to the line for 147 attempts and making 122 for 83 percent as Brookfield Central went 19-6. He averaged 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 asissts and 1.0 blocked shots in addition to his 25.6 ppg. 

In his final high school game, Joplin scored a career-high 41 points in a 77-74 loss to eventual WIAA Division 1 state-champion Wauwatosa East in a regional final. He made 15-of-19 shots from the field, five-of-eight from the foul line and six-of-seven from three-point range in that memorable contest. 

Joplin's ability to hurt opponents from the perimeter and in the paint bodes well for his future at Marquette. But it wasn't always that way for the state's No. 2-ranked prep prospect in the 2021 class in the WisSports.net Player Rankings.

"For the longest time, I couldn't shoot," Joplin said. "My friends always made fun of me because I couldn't shoot. My coaches told me if I could get a good perimeter shot to go along with my inside game, I'd be that much more difficult to defend so I got in the gym and worked on my shot.

"Coaches like Mr. (Tom) La Chance and Mr. (Mike) Nau helped me with my jump shot and I'm thankful for their help."  

Joplin, who plans to major in communications at Marquette, is the first Wisconsin high school player to commit to the Golden Eagles since Joey Hauser of Stevens Point verbally committed in July of 2017.

For the latest and most up to date boys' basketball news and recruiting information, follow Mark on Twitter @wisbbyearbook. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Mark by clicking here.

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