The St. John’s basketball team landed one of the biggest prizes in the transfer portal on Monday afternoon with the commitment of Bryce Hopkins and Rick Pitino cannot wait to get started with him.
Hopkins picked the Johnnies over his ex-Providence coach Ed Cooley and Georgetown after visiting both programs last week, sending shockwaves through the Big East with an inter-conference transfer and not reuniting with Cooley.
Nevertheless, Rick Pitino had interesting comments on the addition of the 6-foot-7 forward to his team.
“Bryce reminds me so much of Zuby [Ejiofor] from a personality standpoint,” he said in a press release. “He’s selfless, humble, hardworking and has outstanding talent. I worked him out and was extremely impressed with his abilities in so many areas.”
Hopkins has been held back by a knee injury for the majority of the last two seasons, suffering a torn ACL in January 2024 and just three games after returning in December, suffered a bone bruise in his knee that kept him out for the remainder of the season.
Still, he went through a workout with Pitino on his visit and there are no concerns about his health.
“He will be a great replacement for the void left with RJ [Luis Jr.] moving on to the pros,” Pitino added.
Granted, Luis is not definitely going to the pros. The Big East Player of the Year is testing the NBA Draft waters with the hope of opting for the professional route but also entered the transfer portal. Should he not remain in the draft, he would finish his college career elsewhere.
Rick Pitino provided additional comments on X about the addition of Hopkins.
“We are so excited to have Bryce Hopkins part of our family,” he wrote. “He epitomizes everything I love in a basketball player; Passionate, Hungry, and Driven. Can't wait to work with him! Will become a great one for St John's.”
We are so excited to have Bryce Hopkins part of our family. He epitomizes everything I love in a basketball player; Passionate, Hungry, and Driven. Can't wait to work with him! Will become a great one for St John's.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) March 31, 2025
Hopkins was a First Team All-Big East selection in his last fully healthy season, his sophomore year with Providence in 2022-23, helping the Friars to the NCAA Tournament.
He will join forces with Ejiofor and Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon to try and return to March Madness with the Johnnies.