Daily doses of the NBA and a love of basketball have been key to Will Hopoate's successful return to the NRL and on the verge of a recall to the NSW side, says his father, former representative star John Hopoate.
The Parramatta centre is the leading contender to replace the injured Josh Morris in the second State of Origin clash on June 18 after being called into the squad for the series opener as 19th man by coach Laurie Daley.
In Hopoate's one appearance for the Blues in 2011, he scored a try in an 18-8 win over Queensland before he took a two-year hiatus to complete his Mormon mission duties having played in Manly's grand final-winning side.
He signed a big-money deal with the Eels before departing the Sea Eagles, but there were doubts about how he'd fare having spent so long out of the game.
But his father said he was always confident he'd return a better player and never lose his impeccable handling skills.
"He has been very good with his hands," John Hopoate told AAP.
"He loves basketball. That's all he plays and that's all he watches is basketball.
"Goes to training, comes back and it's basketball. No footy on TV - just basketball."
"He plays with his brothers and his mates from church and stuff. Loves the Miami Heat and all he watches is the NBA."
Penrith's big win over the Eels last Friday was a tough night for Hopoate with six of the Panthers' tries coming down his right side of the field.
The 21-year-old admitted he needed to be a lot better in defence to be in the mix for Origin but said he'd enjoyed being in camp for the last four days of the build-up to game one.
"I didn't think I was playing good enough to be picked for rep footy so it's very humbling to be in the mix," Hopoate said.
"I love the fact there is always room for improvement. I'll never be the 10-out-of-10 player, which is a good thing as it gives me something to drive towards."
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