How do you explain a 6'8 unselfish (CAN YOU SAY UNSELFISH) high school basketball player with the skill-set/mind-set of a point guard, and the ability to knock down shots like a shooting guard? Those point guard attributes don't come around often. Not to put any pressure on Amir, but I think of three individuals. Magic, Jalen Rose and LeBron. Did I mention that he can defend the 1 thru 4 positions? The answer is Minnesota's home grown talent-incoming Golden Gopher Amir Coffey. He has all of the tools to be successful on the collegiate level & in the pros. His toolbox includes handles, footwork, high basketball I.Q., leadership skills, coachability, creativity, mental toughness, defense, and he hits the boards. The kid has the total package, yet he is one of the most humble and respectful young men you will ever meet. Renee Pulley is a basketball guru in the state of Minnesota, as well as the founder of the Nike Elite AAU program Howard Pulley Basketball. This is what Mr. Pulley said about the phenom. "Amir is a point guard at 6'8 who can pass, rebound, and shoot. He is a great kid who is totally team first without a selfish bone in his body. I think he has a chance to be in the NBA and he will turn Minnesota around next season."
The Coffey name holds a lot of weight in the Twin Cities. Amir's dad Richard was a key component on the 1990 Elite 8 Gopher basketball team. Both of his sisters starred at Hopkins High School before playing D1 basketball. I had the pleasure of talking to Amir about his journey as a student-athlete and his plans on transforming the Gophers back to an elite level program-not only in the Big 10, but nationally. These are lofty goals for any incoming freshman, but if anyone is up to the task-it's Amir. "Amir is a talented kid. I say kid because Amir still looks like a 9th grader. He is just going to get better and better as he matures. He missed a full year and is still exceptionally skilled! He is a phenomenal passer and very unselfish (there goes that word again) in a day when many college kids don't have and aren't interested in that kind of game, said Kenny Novak. (Amir's Hopkins H.S. Head Coach.)
TRAIN WITH ERIC HARRIS: The state of Minnesota has been producing a ton of talent for a long time now. Your name has been ringing bells in Minnesota and the midwest for years. Break down your game for me & let the East coast know why they need to pay attention.
AMIR COFFEY: I'm a top talent combo guard. I can dribble well, I'm a great passer and I can score. I play multiple positions on the court. I was recruited as a 1 & 2 for college. I just get the job done.
TWEH: What school do you go to and how did you guys do this year.
AC: I go to Hopkins High School. We are 23-1. We still have a few games till sections and states start. (At the time of the interview, this was the teams status.)
TWEH: What do your individual numbers look like?
AC: I average 19 points and 14 rebounds.
TWEH: Why the University of Minnesota? I didn't think we had a chance to get a 6'8 point guard that can do everything on the court.
AC: The main thing was the relationship I built with the coaches over the years. They have been recruiting me since my freshman year. We talked on the phone or texted each other every other day. So I built a strong relationship with them and I had a great visit there. I also liked what Coach Pitino told me about the position they would play me at and the way they run their offense. I like the players there now and it felt like the right fit for me.
TWEH: Have you been to any Gopher games this season?
AC: I've been to a couple games. Usually when they play, I have a game on the same night.
TWEH: Who did your top 5 come down to?
AC: My top 5 came down to the Gophers, Arizona, Miami, Texas, and Alabama. In no particular order.
TWEH: I never played with your dad, but the stories about him from Coach Clem Haskins are legendary. Coach always described Richard Coffey as a fearless competitor/warrior. How would you describe your dad and the influence he had on you & your sisters on & off the court?
AC: My dad was an enforcer, so he played a different game than my sisters and I. He did all of the dirty work and played his heart out every game. He always said that 'we had more skill than him.' So when we were younger, he just wanted to put more in our game. The shooting and dribbling skills that he didn't have. You can't teach that stuff to someone when they're older. It starts when you're young so that you have it down. Of course we were going to always play hard.
TWEH: How young were you when the training started?
AC: The training with him started as young as I can remember. We were always in the gym working on skills. When we were older, we started working with some trainers that he trusted and he knew for a while.
TWEH: Talk about your mom's influence.
AC: My mom's name is Sheba. She never worked out with Me, Sydney or Nia, but she has always been a big supporter of us. She came to all of our games. Till this day, I don't think she ever missed one. She's always been around to help us any way she could!
TWEH: Game to 10 by 1's. Who wins? When did you finally beat your dad?
AC: The first time I beat my dad was probably in 6th or 7th grade. At that time, he was getting older and couldn't move as well. I would just use my speed to get by him. When we were younger he could move a little bit better and he was still tough and rough. He has no chance now.
TWEH: Your dad wasn't the only household rivalry growing up. Both of your sisters play d1 ball and will eventually play professionally. What was that experience like?
AC: My oldest sister Sydney is a senior at Marist College. My middle sister Nia is a junior at Northwestern. When we were younger they used to get me. I think I can take them now.
TWEH: Your favorite quality about each sister outside of basketball?
AC: Sydney is very outgoing and has a good sense of humor. Nia is a very caring person and easy to talk to.
TWEH: I know that you've heard some Coach Clem Haskins stories from your dad. What's your favorite?
AC: My dad used to tell me stories about Coach Clem Haskins all of the time. A funny story that he told me happened at one of their practices. Coach was injured and he was in a wheelchair and he was yelling at the team, but he couldn't get up. So he told the team to huddle up while he had a blanket over his legs. Then he ripped the blanket off and tried to stand up. It was pretty funny the way my dad reenacted it.
TWEH: Favorite place u visited on campus?
AC: The student hall on campus is probably the coolest place I visited. The restaurants in the food court, the movie theater and bowling alley. It was nice.
TWEH: Favorite thing to do in Minneapolis?
AC: I like riding around in the city with my friends and listening to new music. The city is really beautiful.
TWEH: Who is your favorite artist? Why?
AC: J. Cole. That's my guy. I love what he talks about. It's not always about money, girls and drugs. He talks about life and what people go through. The things he went through as well as a kid.
TWEH: Toughest player you ever played against in your league? Why?
AC: Tyus Jones. Tyus was a good leader and just a smart player. He got everyone involved on his team and also was able to get his numbers.
TWEH: Toughest player you played against in Nike's E.Y.B.L.? (Elite Youth Basketball League)
AC: I would say Malik Newman. (Freshman at Mississippi State.) Every team in the EYBL is tough. I'll go with Each One Teach One from Florida.
TWEH: Talk about Renee Pulley and the influence he has had on you.
AC: Renee is a great guy. I've known him since I was little. He really looks out for kids and builds them up thru basketball. He has a lot of good programs like the Howard Pulley summer league and all of the camps that he runs. He just really looks out for people. Not just the kids that come up in his program-everybody. So I appreciate him for that.
TWEH: What are your individual/team goals for next year?
AC: My team goals are to win a Big 10 championship and get in the NCAA tournament. Individually, I just want to develop as a player and get good quality minutes as a freshman.
TWEH: My first time seeing you play at the EYBL in Minnesota, I immediately thought of Jalen Rose at Michigan. That comparison came to mind because of Jalen's ability to score, pass, play the point and change speeds at 6'8. Do you ever hear that from people?
AC: Yeah that's funny. That's who most people say my game reminds them of.
TWEH: Favorite sneaker brand? Favorite shoe to ball in?
AC: Nike. The Jordan 11 Columbia.
TWEH: Favorite subject? Why?
AC: English because I always do well and I like my teachers.
TWEH: What's your G.P.A.?
AC: 3.4/3.5
TWEH: Favorite book? Why?
AC: When I was younger, Harry Potter was my favorite series-I read every book. I don't know why I loved em so much. People used to call me weird.
TWEH: Favorite NBA team? Favorite player?
AC: The Rockets. James Harden. I love watching him play and adding moves to my game.
TWEH: I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. How did the injury make u better?
AC: It helped me in terms of the time it gave me to work on my body and add some muscle. That will help me down the road. Also, I was able to pick up different things from watching on the bench. I watch tape a lot, but it's different when you watch from the bench.
TWEH: After retiring from a long and successful career in basketball. Do you ever see yourself living in a warmer state to get away from that insane cold weather?
AC: That's a tough one. I love Minnesota-I've lived here all my life. You're right though, it is cold. I guess moving somewhere warmer would be a possibility.
TWEH: Thanks Amir. I look forward to watching your great career as a Gopher and in the pros.
AC: Thanks Eric. The pleasure was all mine.
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