Bryce Hopkins, following one season with Kentucky, is in the NCAA transfer portal. It’s natural to wonder: Will Kenny Payne and Louisville try to land the talented forward?
The 6-foot-7 Hopkins was a 4-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, while playing for Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick. Hopkins was considered a Top 40 prospect in the class, according to 247 Sports.
Initially, Hopkins committed to Chris Mack and Louisville back in Nov. 2019; that decision came following an official visit to Louisville. (Well, a lot has changed for both Louisville and Hopkins since that moment, a little over two years ago.)
Less than a year later (Aug. 2020), Hopkins decommitted from Louisville. Following that decision a host of programs offered Hopkins, including Oregon, Notre Dame, Providence, Michigan, South Carolina and Kentucky.
Two months later, Hopkins picked Kentucky.
https://twitter.com/BryceHopkins/status/1512058564407447553
After a decade on staff at Kentucky, Payne was hired by the New York Knicks on Aug. 11, which (ironically) was two days after Hopkins decommitted from the Cards.
During his one season with the Wildcats, Hopkins was a lightly-used backup forward. Hopkins appeared in 28 games; he averaged 6.5 minutes, 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Hopkins made 5-of-16 3-point attempts (31.2 3P%).
Earlier this week, two more Louisville players entered the transfer portal: shooting guard Noah Locke and wing forward Dre Davis.