St. John's Bryce Hopkins Feels Prepared for NBA Leap Ahead of Draft Bryce Hopkins, the former St. John's Red Storm standout, has expressed confidence in his readiness for the NBA draft, crediting his college coaches and the preparation he received under Rick Pitino. The 6-foot-10 forward, who played for St. John's during his college career, reflected on the influence of his mentors, including John Calipari, Ed Cooley, and Kim English, while emphasizing Pitino's role in shaping his professional development. Hopkins highlighted Pitino's impact, stating that the former coach "definitely prepared me the most to be where I am today and to go through these NBA workouts, all the traveling and all the work you’re putting in behind the scenes." He noted the alignment between Pitino's coaching philosophy and the strategies employed by NBA teams, describing how the culture and systems at St. John's translated seamlessly to the professional level. "When I go visit them and I see the players in early working out, lifting [weights] … Coach P definitely prepared me for where I am today," Hopkins said. The Red Storm star’s journey through college included playing under Calipari during his early years, followed by stints under Cooley and English. However, Hopkins credited Pitino with providing the most direct preparation for the NBA draft, which is set to take place this week. His comments underscore the importance of mentorship and structured training in transitioning from college basketball to the professional arena. Hopkins’ readiness for the draft comes as he enters a pivotal phase in his career, with NBA teams likely evaluating his skills, athleticism, and potential fit within their rosters.#john_calipari #st_johns #rick_pitino #ed_cooley #bryce_hopkins
St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell faces off against Kansas in his sixth career matchup as the Jayhawks aim for a second-round berth SAN DIEGO — Dillon Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 forward for St. John’s, is preparing for his sixth game against Kansas, a matchup that carries significant weight for both teams. Mitchell, who previously played at Texas and Cincinnati, has a deep understanding of Kansas’ style of play, having faced the Jayhawks multiple times. His experience could be crucial as St. John’s seeks its first deep postseason run in 27 years. Mitchell, now a senior, has become a key player for the Red Storm, though his averages of 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds are modest compared to his past performances. However, teammates like Bryce Hopkins highlight his impact, noting his intelligence, unselfishness, and ability to create opportunities for the team. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without Dillon Mitchell,” Hopkins said, emphasizing his role in the team’s success. The matchup against Kansas is particularly challenging for St. John’s, as the Jayhawks’ physicality and pace have evolved since Mitchell’s last encounters. Kansas’ star guard Darryn Peterson, who scored 28 points in a recent win over Cal Baptist, poses a unique threat. Mitchell acknowledged Peterson’s NBA-level skills, describing his ability to score from all areas and draw fouls. “It’s NBA moves, pro moves that he does,” Mitchell said, underscoring the difficulty of containing him. St. John’s will need to counter Kansas’ big men, Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller, who are likely to match up against Mitchell and Ejiofor. Despite the challenges, Mitchell remains confident, citing his familiarity with Kansas’ strategies and the excitement of facing a familiar opponent.#darryn_peterson #kansas #st_john_s #dillon_mitchell #bryce_hopkins
