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
Kim English’s Coaching Tenure at Providence Ends Amid Struggles and High Expectations Kim English’s arrival at Providence College in 2023 came at a time of immense pressure. The Friars were reeling from the departure of head coach Ed Cooley, who left for Georgetown just as Providence seemed to be on the cusp of a breakthrough. Cooley’s exit, coupled with the perception that he had prioritized his own career over the program, left fans in Rhode Island deeply disillusioned. The team had won the Big East regular season title in 2022 and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in 25 years, but the abrupt departure of a coach who had led them to that point created a vacuum of trust and stability. English, a 34-year-old with just two years of head coaching experience at George Mason, inherited a program steeped in frustration and high expectations. The challenges he faced were compounded by the evolving college basketball landscape. Over the past three years, the sport had undergone rapid changes, including the expansion of the transfer portal and the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Providence’s roster was constantly in flux, with high-profile hires like Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley reshaping the Big East. English, who had never coached at the NCAA Division I level, was thrust into a competitive environment where rebuilding and adapting were constant demands. The fanbase, already wary of Cooley’s departure, was skeptical of his ability to navigate the program’s turbulent state. English’s first season at Providence was a modest success. The Friars secured 21 wins, reached the Big East Tournament semifinals, and developed key players like Devin Carter and Josh Oduro.#big_east #kim_english #providence_college #ed_cooley #georgetown
