Prospect Spotlight: Nick Hopkins (2018)
Nick Hopkins is looking to have a strong grassroots season after a disappointing junior year.
Power forwards (PF’s) traditionally play close to the basket, using their size and strength to provide interior defense, posting-up (scoring close to the basket) and rebounding. A stretch four is a player that is of power forward size but has superior shooting skills (especially three-point jump shots). While using these skills on offense, the player retains the ability to defend the opposing power forward.
Stretch fours are tactically employed in this way to “stretch” the opponent’s defense. The ability to score a high percentage of catch-and-shoot three-point shots from distance (the distinct feature of a stretch four) causes defensive problems for the opposing team, as it pulls the opposing (and crucially, defending) power forward out of the low post area, opening up driving lanes for guards to exploit (these can be running lanes or passing lanes). This also creates more post space and potentially scoring and rebounding opportunities for the center player.
Players with the same play style as stretch fours but play the center position are called stretch fives.
Hopkins is a stretch forward, who can play both inside and outside the paint. He has a nice release on his jump shot, with the ability to heat up from behind the arc. He plays below the rim, banging inside the paint with opposing bigs and battling for rebounds. Despite his nice skills, he was pretty upset with the outcome of his junior season.
Well known as a lights out shooter, Hopkins plans to add other skills to his game this off season.
“My strengths are being able to shoot from almost anywhere in the half court setting and not just the high post. I’m looking to improve on becoming more of a dominant scorer and being able to get a bucket when my team needs one.”
Nick Hopkins will be a very good college forward. He’s a little thin and will add weight but he can space the floor and move really well. He is an able defender who really makes it hard on the other team due to his length. Offensively, he showed a lot too and the offers will start to come as we get deeper into July.