Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons why Bryce Hopkins should pick the Illini

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 11: A basketball rolls off the court during a timeout in the Big Ten Conference game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2017, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Brad Underwood’s Illinois basketball program finds themselves in an interesting position after a big-time recruit reopens his recruitment.

Back on November 10, 2019, Illinois lost out on one of the best players in the state of Illinois when Bryce Hopkins decided to effectively end his recruitment and commit to Louisville. I remember when this happened because I was disappointed the Illini weren’t the landing spot for the talented forward.

The whole world has been through a lot since Hopkins made the decision to commit to the Cardinals. Almost exactly nine months after the decision by Hopkins, he has now backed out of the commitment and is reopening his recruitment.

Since Hopkins reopened his recruitment, teams like Oregon, Notre Dame and Providence have jumped on him with offers. But there are a ton of teams who are now pursuing this kid or who have restarted their pursuit of him.

I have heard names like Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, to name a few. But I have also heard Illinois has been contacting Hopkins. This would be a huge pick up for the program. There are some big reasons why he would fit in well here too.

Here are three reasons why Bryce Hopkins should pick the Illini.

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