
Providence forward Bryce Hopkins will return to play for the Friars next season, he announced via Instagram on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Hopkins was a first-team All-Big East player in 2022-23, averaging team-highs of 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds to go with 2.3 assists.
- Former longtime Providence coach Ed Cooley left for Georgetown on March 20. Providence made it to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the first round to Kentucky.
- Cooley was replaced by former George Mason coach Kim English.
- Providence guard Devin Carter also announced Friday that he’ll return to the program next season.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What were the options for Hopkins?
When coaches leave, it makes players’ decisions about their future difficult. There may have been no more complicated choice than Hopkins’ this offseason after Cooley’s departure to Georgetown. Hopkins had three choices at his disposal: Go pro, transfer or stay at Providence. Hopkins and those around him absolutely considered a run toward the NBA Draft after his outstanding season, but he likely would have been a second-round pick.
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On the transfer front, Hopkins already transferred from Kentucky to Providence last offseason. He would have risked having to sit out a year, as schools around the country are preparing for the NCAA to get much more stringent regarding potential waivers for multi-time, non-graduate transfers. Honestly, given that neither of those factors is exactly ideal, returning to Providence was the option that made the most sense. — Vecenie
How Hopkins’ return impacts Providence
There might not be a more impactful roster decision for a new coach in college basketball next season. Hopkins was a first-team All-Big East performer this season and averaged 18.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, fitting like a glove into Cooley’s flex offense. Now, he’ll play for English.
English prefers to play a free-flowing offensive style that should work really well for Hopkins, as the 6-foot-7 wing’s ability to drive and attack as a slasher should be opened up as the new coaching staff looks to recruit shooters around him. Hopkins’ return gives Providence and English a potential All-American to build around. He will likely be named a preseason All-American next season and might be the preseason choice for Big East Player of the Year.
Finding the star to build around is often the hardest part of roster-building. Providence and English have the hard part done. Now they can go out and recruit players out of the transfer portal that make sense around Hopkins for this season. — Vecenie
What’s next for Providence?
The Friars have already received commitments from two players at English’s prior coaching stop, George Mason. Josh Oduro will be the team’s starting center next season, a two-time first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection. They also will bring in Justyn Fernandez, a former top-100 recruit with a ton of athletic upside who could start on the wing next year.
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Additionally, Providence got an enormous commitment from Carter to return to school. Carter averaged 13.0 points and 4.9 rebounds for Providence this past season, but more importantly, he was one of the best defensive guards in all of college basketball. He was in a similar boat to Hopkins, having transferred last offseason from South Carolina to Providence, meaning he could have needed to sit out had he decided to transfer.
Carter’s return along with the other commitments gives the Friars a core that could challenge for a Big East title. The team was one difference-making guard commitment away from feeling like they can really compete at the top of the Big East. They should also look for a bit more depth in the frontcourt behind Oduro. — Vecenie
Backstory
Hopkins ranked fourth in the Big East in scoring and second in rebounding in 2022-23. The Friars went 21-12 on the season and were ranked as high as No. 17 in the nation during the season.
Hopkins was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2021, committing to Kentucky. He played in 28 games with the Wildcats before transferring.
Required reading
(Photo: Grant Halverson / NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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