Illinois Basketball: Illini showing interest in Kentucky transfer

The transfer portal is staying warm for the Illinois basketball team as they are eyeing another former recruiting target.

As of right this second, the Illini have yet to land a transfer this offseason. We have been reported to be in touch with numerous players, but nothing has officially come together. One of the most recent interests for the Orange and Blue is former in-state recruit, Bryce Hopkins.

Coming out of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois, Hopkins was a four-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 39 player in the class of 2021. He was also the No. 8 power forward in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of Illinois.

Hopkins would choose Kentucky as his landing spot. This past season was his lone run with the Wildcats, though. He would only receive 6.4 minutes per game and put up 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds each night. Now the former in-state star is looking for a new home.

On Saturday, Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers reported that Hopkins has heard from a myriad of programs. One of the teams that have contacted him is Illinois.

Bryce Hopkins would bring quality size to the Illinois basketball lineup.

I remember when Hopkins was first being recruited. I really hoped Illinois was going to land him, but that didn’t happen. Through one year, we have now gotten to see what Hopkins is at the next level.

If Illinois did land the kid, I think he would be a great piece coming off the bench. He has a nice big body that can drive the lane and cause contact. This would give Hopkins more chances to score at the free throw line. But that is also his weakness.

Hopkins’ shooting numbers worry me. He is 42.9% from the field, 31.3% from three-point range, and 53.8% from the charity stripe. Those are not good numbers, so it doesn’t surprise me he wasn’t getting a ton of minutes at Kentucky.

I would like Hopkins because I know what Brad Underwood can do with players who have a ton of potential. But I don’t think he would be a starter from day one. He would be a player who gets 10-13 minutes each night to start and then can work his way up.