Hopkins Forward Nick Jorgensen Hopes To Move To Starter

Hopkins forward Nick Jorgensen, who was one of the top sixth men in the state, will have a different role this upcoming season for the Royals. The 6-foot-6 forward will likely move into the starting lineup as the team tries to win a state-record fourth straight Class AAAA state basketball title.

Jorgensen averaged 8.2 points per game as the Royals finished 31-1 with a season-best 20 points versus Madison East in the Border Battle. He scored in double figures in 10 games last season, including a five times in a six game stretch.

The Royals defeated No. 2 seed Eden Prairie 64-52 in the championship game. Hopkins finished the season ranked No. 14 in the final USA Today Top 25 poll.

Jorgensen is expected to carry more of the outside shooting and leadership load with the graduation loss of Joe Coleman and Marvin Singleton. Those two combined for 39 points per contest.

Patch recently caught up with Jorgensen to learn more about his busy summer schedule and his expectations for his senior season.

Hopkins Patch: You had a very busy July with the Minnesota Pump N Run AAU program playing in Indianapolis, Chicago, Bloomington, Las Vegas and Anaheim. How do you think it went?

Nick Jorgensen: It went really well. Our team had a lot of new players this year. That was something that we had to get used to with the seven guys from last year. We did well. There was some tournament that we kind of struggled, but I think that we ended on a really high note in L.A. getting as far as we did. 

Hopkins Patch: You lost two very talented players in Joe Coleman and Marvin Singleton from your Hopkins team to graduation. What types of things have you been working on as a team to win that fourth straight title?

Jorgensen: We play in open gyms almost every night. A bunch of guys come back from college, so that is a lot of help for the younger guys to get ready. We are lifting a lot as a team. I think that we are just trying to figure out now since we did lose Marvin and Joe, who is going to shoot the ball now?, who is going to pass it? We are just starting to figure out our roles, so I think that it is going to be key this summer. We have time to figure that out

Hopkins Patch: Your role is going to change quite a bit as you will not only likely play more, but you will probably start after coming off the bench this season?  

Jorgensen: I’m not sure where I’ll fit in. I hope somewhere in the starting lineup. You never know what happens. I like playing with these guys, so hopefully it will happen. We’ll see what I can do.

Hopkins Patch: Are you looking forward to taking a bigger role because you lost nearly 40 points per game with the loss of Coleman and Singleton?

Jorgensen: It is crazy how many points we lost. I am excited to do that. It is a big responsibility, especially at Hopkins trying to uphold how well we have done. I think that we can do that this year as well.

Hopkins Patch: Are you starting to hear from some colleges yet recruiting-wise?

Jorgensen: I actually toured some schools. I gotten a lot of phone calls. Hopefully, my play this July has helped that out, so we’ll see what happens.

Hopkins Patch: What schools are you hearing from right now?

Jorgensen: I’ve talked to Minnesota State Moorhead, Air Force and Denver.

Hopkins Patch: Did you get a chance to visit Denver in May when you played there in a tournament

Jorgensen: Yes, I did. I actually visited Denver and Air Force. I liked those campuses a lot and the coaches were great.

Hopkins Patch: Have you even thought about what you would like to major in at college?

Jorgensen: I’ve thought about it. I have a couple that I have looked into, like physical therapy.

Hopkins Patch: What types of things are you working on to continue to improve yourself as a player and get ready for a big season as a player?

Jorgensen: Definitely ballhandling. I have been working on that a ton. Shooting as well. Just getting my form how I want it to be for the high school season. This year, I will be playing inside since it will be just me and Zach Stahl and maybe Eric Hedstrom, if we can get him back, so I have been working on a lot of post moves and defense. It should be interesting.

Hopkins Patch: You will get a chance to play several of your AAU teammates this season who want to knock off Hopkins, since you win so much. Do you hear them talking about playing the Royals this year?

Jorgensen: I hear the recruitment statement a ton. I just say that it is not true. That is one of the main things, but it is all fun and games for them. I enjoy just talking to them, especially when we play them. It’s always fun. There is nothing better than playing your friends, even though you want to beat them.

Hopkins Patch: You have to know that playing at Hopkins, you are going to get everyone’s best game because they want to knock you off. Is that something you like?

Jorgensen: I love that. That is exactly what our coaches tell us. Everyone wants to beat us and that is our mentality going into every game. It is important to us to just know that.