NCAA Basketball: Analyzing top-40 forward Bryce Hopkins top 9 teams

Now a free agent, top-tier NCAA Basketball forward prospect Bryce Hopkins has announced a list of nine programs in the running. Who made the list?

Among all of these class of 2021 NCAA Basketball prospects making decisions this Summer, one player who wasn’t supposed to be part of the group was Bryce Hopkins. A four-star forward recruit, Hopkins has committed to the Louisville Cardinals nearly a year ago, set up to be the key piece in their 2021 class.

However, the 6’7 frontcourt player from Oak Park, Illinois recently made the decision to part ways with Louisville, citing concerns over the program’s longstanding investigation by the NCAA from past alleged recruiting violations and the impact on the future. The Cardinal’s loss is someone else’s gain, including one of now nine potential candidates.

Although he’s naturally suited best in college as a power forward, Hopkins can just as well play at the small forward position as well. He’s a strong shooter who can play and defend on the perimeter, while potentially taking advantage of smaller players inside. For those bigger down low, look for Hopkins to face the basket and beat them off the dribble.

After Louisville’s exit, a number of programs swiftly came in and offered Hopkins a scholarship. Some heavyweights also are in play, as well as teams who could use a top-40 prospect to boost their own recruiting class.

So in this new recruitment, which teams are the best potential fits for Hopkins? Here’s a closer look at what each program has to offer, in terms of both playing time, the likelihood of winning at a high level and development for a possible trip to the NBA.

Cal Bears

The academics for the University is top-notch and always will be a major selling point for recruits. There also is plenty of available playing time for Hopkins out the gate, with none of the current frontcourt players on the roster as good on paper as this prospect.

The obvious issue the Bears will have in winning Hopkins over is the lack of winning recently. They somewhat overachieved last season, especially in Pac-12 play (7-11). But Cal still finished under .500 overall (14-17) and could very well lose All-Pac 12 star guard Matt Bradley after next season. There just may not be enough for Hopkins to work with for the Bears to be a legit viable option.