Peterson lists seven offers

After years of playing behind a talented group of 2009 standouts D.J. Peterson is now ready to take to the big stage. The 6-foot-5 wing is the top player of the Hopkins Royals and his senior year is off to a strong start. Peterson is now listing seven scholarship offers after a strong summer of playing with Net Gain Sports.

"The summer was good," Peterson explained. "We went to a lot of places across the country. Top memories were the games in Las Vegas and at the Duel in the Desert in Phoenix where we were playing a lot of top guys around the country."

With the versatility and size to play the one, two or the three D.J. spent a lot of his Net Gain time handling the basketball.

"This AAU season I played point," Peterson said. "I think me understanding what a point guard does and understanding how to run a team and get people shots was the biggest part of my off-season."

Peterson spent time at off-season camps on the campuses of Marquette and Northern Iowa. He also increased his list of offers from three to seven schools.

"San Diego, Northern Iowa, Baylor, Portland State, UW-Green Bay, North Dakota State, and Richmond have offered," D.J. stated. " I haven't planned any visits yet. I am planning on making a decision late."

The Hopkins Royals went undefeated last season winning yet another class AAAA state championship. Peterson was the 7th leading scorer on the team in total points (180) and 9th on the team in average with six points a contest. With Royce White (Minnesota), Trent Lockett (Arizona State), Mike Broghammer (Notre Dame), Raymond Cowels (Santa Clara), Marcus Williams (North Dakota State), and Moses Sundufu (juco) off to college there is plenty of room for others to step in.

Six-foot-4 junior Marvin Singleton is the top returning scorer with 8.6 points a game while Peterson and Joe Coleman (6.1 points a contest) also come back.

"I think we are going to be in the mix of things again this year," Peterson said. "This summer we won the Tubby Smith Camp and we beat Eden Prairie and Benilde-St. Margaret's there. We also won the Sweet 16 tournament up in St. Cloud beating Tartan for the championship, so overall I feel pretty good about this upcoming season. We are young but talented. I feel there is no reason why we shouldn't be in the state championship again."