The Kentucky Wildcats and John Calipari landed a commitment from one of the top seniors in the Midwest and entire nation in Bryce Hopkins. Hopkins is a 6’7” small forward of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois and played with the Mokan Elite program. As a junior last season, Hopkins was named first team 3A all-state in Illinois by the IBCA. 

In landing a commitment from Hopkins, Kentucky and Calipari are taking away a former commitment from in-state rival Louisville. Hopkins had previously committed to Louisville but opened up his recruitment back in August. Very shortly after opening up his commitment, Calipari got involved and offered Hopkins a scholarship. 

During the time of his recruitment, Hopkins was able to collect over twenty scholarship offers for himself. He picked Kentucky out of his list of nine finalist. The other eight finalists consisted of California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Michigan, Oregon, Providence College, and Texas. 

The senior is a highly versatile wing. He has a forward’s size at 6’7” plus a strong build, but also has good guard skills and plays well with the ball in his hands. 

Hopkins marks the second commitment in Kentucky’s 2021 recruitment class. He joins point guard Nolan Hickman of Wasatch Academy (UT) in the class so far.