Michigan Basketball: Wolverines make Top 9 for 4-Star Bryce Hopkins

Juwan Howard keeps Michigan in the running for yet another big-time recruit. The Wolverines have made the top 9 for 2021 4-star PF Bryce Hopkins.

Hopkins released his top nine on Twitter today. Michigan basketball made the cut along with Kentucky, Oregon, Cal, Iowa State, Illinois, Texas, Providence, and Indiana.

Hopkins is a high 4-star recruit. He ranks 33rd in the 247Sports composite. Despite being a bit undersized for a college PF, he is more of a power player with very little finesse to his game.

Evan Daniels of 247Sports has this scouting report on Hopkins.

"A versatile prospect, Hopkins is best utilized as a face up forward, but he has the skill to play out on the perimeter at the three-spot. Hopkins grew to 6-7 during his junior season and his body has continued to progress. He has an impressive feel for the game, a good skill set and is an aggressive scorer that can score it from all three-levels. Hopkins is particularly effective out of the high post, where he can make plays off the dribble or make the right pinpoint pass. Hopkins is also an active rebounder that gets on the backboard and is capable of grabbing a board and starting the break. On the flip side, Hopkins lacks consistency as a long-range threat, and is just an OK athlete."

Hopkins had previously committed to Louisville back in November of last year. He committed the day after his official visit. He remained committed all the way up until just a few weeks ago when he announced his decommitment.

Hopkins cited the sanctions on Louisville as the reason for him opening his recruitment back up. He had this to say to 247Sports.

"“I opened up my recruitment because there were a lot of uncertainties on what is going on with the sanctions. They also keep appealing (the sanctions) which is only making it harder on me.”"

Michigan’s Chances

After the decommitment from Louisville, it was always thought that if Hopkins got a Kentucky offer, they’d be the favorite. That has turned out to be true. Kentucky currently holds all six 247Sports crystal balls for Hopkins. They are the clear favorite.

Michigan basketball is in a weird spot right now. If Hopkins wanted to commit, they’d absolutely take him. But with only two spots likely available in the class and with one of those spots going to a center, he’d be a weird fit.

Michigan is still heavily involved with 5-stars Harrison Ingram, Trevor Keels, JD Davison, and others. I would imagine Juwan is prioritizing those guys more than he is Hopkins. As we sit right now, I don’t think Michigan has much of a shot at landing Bryce Hopkins.