
Bryce Hopkins (Chicago Sun Times Photo)
Way before Bryce Hopkins even had a scholarship offer from Kentucky one recruiting analyst — David Sisk of Rivals.com — predicted that the 6-7 forward would commit to the Wildcats.
Guess what? Sisk was right.
The 6-7, 215-pound power forward from Fenwick (IL) High School committed to Kentucky on Monday. He’s ranked as the No. 7 power forward nationally in the 247Sports.com Composite rankings and is a top 30 player nationally. He picked UK over Providence and Illinois.
What makes this commitment even more intriguing is that Hopkins originally had committed to Louisville before changing his mind a few weeks ago. Now he’s headed to rival Kentucky and said it was his “dream school” several times in the last few weeks.
Hopkins joins point guard Nolan Hickman in UK’s 2021 recruiting class. HIs commitment also came just four days after junior guard Skyy Clark committed to UK.
So what is Kentucky getting with Hopkins?
“When Bryce Hopkins has his motor going he gets to a different level,” Sisk said. “He has the size, strength, length and good feet to be a stud on the boards in college.”
Need more?
“Hopkins has one of the best mid-range games I’ve seen. He can discard a defender with his physicality and also go over them. He has great touch from that area as well,” Sisk said.
“He’s closer to 6-8 now, and plays bully ball. He can go by bigger defenders on the perimeter or through smaller ones. He’s got a back to the bucket game, so he is a matchup problem. He has a beautiful shooting stroke and he can shoot over his defender. ”
Joe Henricksen of the Chicago Sun Times reported Monday that Hopkins made over 20 unofficial visits before he picked Louisville. Kentucky, though, was not one of the schools he visited and with COVID-19 restrictions he did not get to make an official visit. However, Hopkins and his family made their own trip to Lexington in mid-September.
Hopkins also told Henricksen he liked the way developed players for the NBA.
“How they develop guys and get their players to the league and how many players are drafted stands out,” Hopkins said. “I have to go there and work, do what I have to do, keep my head straight and hopefully I can also get to the NBA.”
Hopkins also told Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog that he fits well with Calipari’s position-less style of play.
“They told me that the basketball they play is very position-less, so they see me playing on the wing,’ Hopkins said. “They say I’m very versatile and I fit in very well with their playing style.”