Erik Copes

{{Infobox basketball biography | name = Erik Copes | image = Erik Copes Imhotep (cropped).jpg | caption = Copes wins his third PPL title in 2011 | league = [[National Basketball League of Paraguay | team = | number = | position = Power forward / Center | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 8 | weight_lb = 250 | birth_date = January 29, 1993 (age 23) | birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | nationality = American | high_school = Imhotep Charter
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | college = George Mason (2011–2014) | draft_year = 2015 | career_start = 2015 | career_end = | years1 = 2015–present | team1 = Orangeville A's (Canada) | highlights = }}

Erik Copes (born January 29, 1993) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Paraquay of the [[National Basketball League of Paraguay (NBL). He was drafted first overall by the Niagara River Lions in the 2015 NBL Canada draft before being released. Copes played four years of college basketball with the George Mason Patriots but left midway through his senior season for personal reasons. He attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School and helped his team win three consecutive Philadelphia Public League (PPL) titles.

High school career

Copes attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School, where he was a member of the Panthers' varsity basketball team for four years. He closed out his sophomore season in 2009 by bringing Imhotep its third PPL Class AA title in four years. Copes helped his team with 11 rebounds and 7 blocks as the Panthers defeated Pittsburgh Northern Catholic, 75–67, in double-overtime. As a senior, he led the team to their third consecutive Class AA title, adding 13 rebounds in a 33-point win over Greensburg Central Catholic.

Only as a high school sophomore, Copes orally committed to play at the college level with the George Washington Colonials. At the time, he was considered one of the best recruits to be spotted by the Colonials' head coach Karl Hobbs. However, upon request in May 2011, Copes was released from his National Letter of Intent and committed to George Mason. One factor that affected his decision was that his uncle was a member of their coaching staff. His decision was considered a "huge commitment" for the Patriots, who competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Copes had been rated the sixth-best prospect of his class in the country at the center position.

Collegiate career

Copes played all 27 of his team's games as a freshman, although he saw limited playing time. He recorded 51 blocked shots, which was the fifth-highest season total in school history. His shot-blocking average, of 1.9 per game, was also the third-highest in program history. Copes finished off his first season at the collegiate level averaging 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. As a sophomore, the big man led the Patriots in rebounding, grabbing 6.0 per game, and started in all 34 of his team's games. He also averaged 1.1 blocks, putting him ninth in the CAA under that category. On February 23, 2013, Copes made a 12-foot jump shot with 0.5 seconds left to defeat William & Mary. He said that it was his first game-winning shot of his life. On March 19, Copes made another game-winner, recording a tip-in shot with 0.6 seconds in regulation to push George Mason past the College of Charleston at the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). He also put up a career-high 14 points. In his junior season, Copes played 25 games but appeared on the starting lineup in only 14 of them. On February 12, 2013, he tied his career-best rebounding total vs UMass on with 15 rebounds against Cady Lalanne. Copes also recorded a season-high of 12 points. As a senior, he suited up for four games but was not a part of the Patriots' starting lineup. But on December 17, 2015, he left the program due to personal reasons. George Mason head coach Paul Hewitt respected the decision, saying, "I understand he needs to devote more time to other matters in his life that are more important than basketball."

Professional career

On November 28, 2015, Copes was selected first overall by the Niagara River Lions at the 2015 NBL Canada draft. However, on December 7, he was released by the team, along with their two other draft picks. Head coach Ken Murray said, "A lot of it has to deal with team chemistry, and I've released some guys just because I think it could alter our chemistry." However, Copes was later acquired by the Orangeville A's and remained in the Canadian league.

Personal life

Erik was brought up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was raised by his mother, Rochetta Copes. He grew up on 54th St and Addison St in West Philadelphia. He has three older siblings, Antoine, Keisha, and Sharae. His uncle, Roland Houston, is an assistant coach with the George Mason Patriots men's basketball team in the NCAA Division I and has experience playing college basketball with the Rhode Island Rams. Houston also played professional hoops for 13 seasons overseas. While attending George Mason University, Copes majored in integrated studies, although he had originally planned to major in criminal justice.