Recruiting Report: Bryce Hopkins (2021)

Fenwick 2021 small forward Bryce Hopkins has become one of the most coveted prospects on the recruiting trail in the Midwest in his class.  He is a versatile forward that can be a mismatch at both spots with his combination of size, strength, and skill.  He displayed that over the summer with MoKan in the Nike EYBL and at Nike Elite 100 Camp where he led his team to team deep into the tournament portion of the event.  With so much going on with recruiting we dove right into his recent visits in this Q&A!

Let’s talk about Louisville.  I believe you have gone down there twice.  What stands out about their program?

“Well first the conference is phenomenal.  You can’t go wrong with playing in the ACC.  Their facilities are great.  The coaching staff is great as well.  Coach Mack is a great coach.  Also the fans there really love their basketball with there not being an NBA team out there so they all love Louisville.

Why did you want to visit there twice in the span of a few weeks?

“I took two unofficial visits.  They wanted me to come down there the first time to show me the campus, their facilities, meet the weight trainer.  The second time I went down there was because they wanted me to check out Louisville Live which is when I saw how much the Louisville fans love their basketball.”

You took a visit up north to Wisconsin in the Big 10.  What stood out about it?

“Wisconsin was nice.  The coaching staff was great!  It was a college town, but unfortunately I do not believe that it was the best fit for me.”

Northwestern is right in your back yard.  What appeals to you most about the Wildcats?

“The coaching staff there is awesome.  Coach Collins, Coach Dildy, Coach BJ, and Coach Jon Borovich are all great.  On top of that it’s in my hometown.  The campus there was very nice!  Their campus is right off the lake as well as their training facility so it is a great view.”

How was your visit to Indiana?

“The Indiana visit was great!  I heard Bloomington was nice, but I didn’t know it was that nice.  The coaching staff was great and everything was genuine.  On top of that Assembly Hall was crazy.  It always looks crazy looking at it on TV, but seeing it in person was even better.  Also they are absolutely crazy for their basketball.”

This past week Kansas was in to see you and offered a scholarship.  I know you plan on visiting this weekend.  What intrigues you about them and what are you looking for on the visit?

“It’s crazy you see them on TV all the time.  Coach Bill Self and Coach Howard are great!  You see them in the NCAA Tournament almost every year if not every year!  I am looking forward to seeing the facilities and seeing what Kansas is all about!”

Any other schools really pursuing you and making you feel like a priority?

“California, Texas, Mizzou, Nebraska, and Ohio State.”

Do you have any visits in the works to those schools?

“I believe California and then Marquette soon.  I do not know the exact dates yet though.”

Taking all these early visits are you looking to make a decision early?

“As of right now I plan to make my decision at the end of my next AAU season!”