SALT LAKE CITY — Brekkott Chapman received valuable advice from his mother at a young age that has helped him become one of the best high school basketball players in the nation.

"If you want to do something, do it 100 percent," he said. "I've done that ever since I was a little kid."

His 100 percent effort and dedication to the game of basketball is now paying off.

Chapman is currently ranked as a four-star player and the 49th best player in the class of 2014 by ESPN. He enjoyed a standout junior season at Roy High School, and his play earned him scholarship offers from schools like Arizona, Gonzaga and Colorado, as well as the in-state schools Utah, BYU and Utah State.

His stock continued to rise this summer on the AAU circuit, and he earned invitations to some prestigious camps including the NBPA Top 100 camp in Virginia.

More offers were sure to come and the attention was only going to intensify before Brekkott made one of the most important decisions of his life.

He chose to stay close to home and committed to Utah.

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Chapman commits to the U

One of the best high school basketball players in the state of Utah, Brekkott Chapman of Roy high school just committed to the University of Utah.

There were a number of factors that went into his decision. He said he felt something on campus that he didn't feel at other schools. And the dedication head coach Larry Krystkowiak showed in recruiting him was also impressive. He believes the Utes style of play is a good fit for his skill set.

Perhaps the most important factor, though, was family.

"It came close to when I was going to decide, and it hit me really hard that I've never been over a week without seeing my family," he said. "I don't know how long I could do that."

Chapman has grown up without a father, who chose not to be a part of his life. Instead, he has relied on his mother and grandparents, Dennis and Sharon Price, for love and support.

"I have a great life," he said. "More support than I would ever need."

His mother taught him how to play basketball and was always there to lend advice. His grandmother spent countless hours playing catch with Chapman when he was little. His grandfather has been the father figure in his life and his biggest fan. Dennis has always provided encouragement for his grandson.

"You can have the people that are going to be there for you and you're going to have people that aren't there for you," he said. "Remember that family is always first."

Chapman has always tried to help his family while pursuing his dream. He collected aluminum cans in an effort to raise money for the costs of playing sports beginning in the fourth grade. He continues to help his family by raising money for the expense of traveling to various AAU basketball events.

"I think that's helped to give him a little bit of work ethic that kids who are just handed stuff don't always have," said his mother Kim Littlefield.

He's also accepted the responsibility of being a role model for his 7-year-old brother Troy. The two share a unique bond.

"A lot of responsibility," he said about being an example to his younger brother. "He watches every single thing I do and every step I take. It's huge, but I love him more than anything in this world, and he's the best thing that every happened to me."

The ability to stay close to his younger brother was also a factor in his decision to play close to home.

"I'm the hardest thing for him to leave," said Troy "If he would have had to move I would have moved."

Troy won't have to move after Chapman's decision to play at Utah. The family looks forward to cheering him on at every home game as he works to achieve his goals.

"It's been really rewarding," said his grandmother Sharon Price. "It's been a dream that we've had. He's accomplished what he's wanted in life so far and I know still the only way is up for him."

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