NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top early commits from the 2021 class

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 15: Detail view of a basketball goes through the basketball net during warmups before a game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bud Walton Arena on January 15, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

9 of 16

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 25: Coach Mack of UL watches. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Bryce Hopkins – Fenwick H.S. (IL)

SF | 6-foot-7 | 220 lbs | Committed to Louisville

No. 36 in Rivals150 | No. 48 in Top247

Louisville has been a powerhouse program for the last several years – everybody knows that. Under the leadership of head coach Chris Mack, the Cardinals have continued to be successful on the court while also landing some superb recruiting classes. They largely lived up to extremely high expectations during this 2019-20 season and it’s hard not to be impressed with the direction of Louisville based on recruiting victories.

The Cardinals landed the No. 12 recruiting class in 2019, have three huge commits lined up for 2020, and Bryce Hopkins represents an excellent addition for the future as well. A 6-foot-7 wing out of Illinois, Hopkins was targeted by some of the best programs in the Midwest. By early November, though, Coach Mack was able to secure his verbal commitment to jumpstart the 2021 class.

Hopkins has worked on his body significantly over the past several months and is now thinner and also stronger. He is a talented driver off the bounce with the ability to finish through traffic at the rim. When necessary, he can bury the open trifecta to keep defenses honest as well.

Hopkins still has room to develop as a perimeter defender but is already a fairly well-balanced prospect that should contribute from Day 1. I don’t say that lightly considering the amount of talent on Louisville’s roster.

Home/NCAA Basketball News