Illinois Basketball: Illini should push for Bryce Hopkins

With his recent announcement that his recruitment was open, the Illini should target Fenwick standout, Bryce Hopkins.

Hopkins is one of Illinois basketball’s biggest priority targets in the 2021 class. He is a four-star recruit and ranked the No. 2 player in the state while coming in just outside the top-30 on a national level. He is a 6-foot-7 power forward from Oak Park, Illinois, and plays for the Fenwick Friars.

Hopkins most recently pulled his offer from Louisville, which leaves his recruitment open upon the beginning of his senior season. Outside of Louisville, the Illini have taken interest in Hopkins, along with Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin and Notre Dame, just to name a few.

In 2019, the Friars had their season cut short due to the global pandemic, but Hopkins’ squad managed to win 26 games and finish 11-3 in conference play. They won a regional title against Payton College Prep on March 6 before the season was halted a week later.

Hopkins had a stellar junior season, averaging 24.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 points per game as the team’s most prolific player.

What would Bryce Hopkins bring to Champaign?

If Illinois could land Hopkins, it would arguably be the biggest commitment since Ayo Dosunmu’s arrival in 2018. The Fenwick power forward brings a consistent game on a nightly basis, usually resulting in high-scoring affairs and highlight-reel dunks that could captivate any audience at the high school or college level.

Heading into his senior year, Hopkins will have a lot of eyes on him as he hopes to take a larger leadership role after the departure of his teammate, Trey Pettigrew.

The Orange and Blue have high expectations heading into the winter, as they hope to rank near the top-five when the season officially starts. An NCAA tournament berth and Big Ten championship is the overarching goal.