After an offseason full of whispers indicating Kentucky freshman Bryce Hopkins was impressing in early workouts, John Calipari was the first to publicly acknowledge the 6-foot-7 forward was better than anticipated.
“Bryce (Hopkins) has come in with a physicalness,” Calipari said in September. “He’s better than I thought.”
UK associate coach Orlando Antigua is now doubling down on the optimism, adding that Hopkins has the opportunity to be “really, really good” in Lexington. The skill has always been there, but now that his body is transforming to maximize his athleticism and versatility, the sky is the limit for the Oak Park, IL native.
“The biggest thing with Bryce was, would he be able to change his body?” Antigua said in an appearance on Sunday Morning Sports Talk with KSR. “His skillset has always been the same. He can really handle the ball, he can shoot the ball, he’s got a physical presence to him that you need to have with the positions he’ll be playing on the wing — playing some three, playing some four. He’s got a chance to be really, really good.”