Swopshire liking his current options

He hears it all the time. "You are the next Josh Childress." But Missouri native Jared Swopshire isn't so sure about that. At least not yet. By the time the 6-foot-7, 195-pound wing leaves IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., Swopshire could be ready to make an impact like the former Stanford star.

Swopshire, afro and all, looks a lot like Childress, a current Atlanta Hawk. But the younger player said he

"I don't really watch Josh Childress," Swopshire said. "I just know I look like him. That's where it ends."

Really? Some say not so fast. Like Childress, Swopshire is a versatile wing that can handle, score on the wing and go hard to the rack with the dribble.

"I play all five spots," Swopshire said of his role at the prestigious IMG Academy (27-5). "I feel like I can really play any position on the floor. My all-around game is something that I'm always working on."

Like Childress, Swopshire is seeing his recruitment take on a number of programs. He is already holding offers from mid-majors near and around his Midwestern home. Southeast Missouri, Western Illinois, Dayton and Southern Illinois have all tendered free rides. Cincinnati, Miami, Missouri and Perdue have also jumped in with an offer.

Billy Donovan, Frank Haith, Mick Cronin and Bob Huggins have all made it a point to see Swopshire and the rest of the IMG guys this year. Clemson, Florida State, Memphis and Virginia Tech have sent assistants to catch a glimpse.

"I'm going to take my time and find out what is the best situation for me to feel the most comfortable to be in," Swopshire said. "I want to be good with the coaches and find a style of play that will be the best fit for me. Of course, education is going to be important. The conference will be something, too. Most of all, I want to win a National Championship."

Still lying somewhat low on the national recruiting scene, the three-star prospect said he is looking forward to getting out with the Florida Rams in the spring to further display his talents.

"There is a lot of good competition out there so I'm looking forward to showing (the coaches) that I'm the player that they are going to want to recruit," Swopshire said. "It's all about getting out there and playing my very best."

The door isn't shut, yet, and Swopshire said he likes his options at this point.

"I'm pretty satisfied with the schools that I have looking at me," he said.