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Hopkins decides to return to Mustangs
Star to come back for senior year because of guard-heavy NBA draft

By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News

SMU guard Bryan Hopkins, who declared for the NBA draft on the first day of the NCAA Tournament, has decided to remain in school.

Hopkins, who never hired an agent, didn't file any paperwork with the NBA to make his decision official with the league.

Hopkins said he would not attend any NBA predraft camps.

As a junior, Hopkins (6-0, 195) averaged 17.9 points and shot 40.4 percent from the field. He was a second team all-WAC selection.

Several NBA scouts said Hopkins has the talent but needed work on his leadership abilities to make the jump. Scouts also said Hopkins needed to establish more consistency with his overall game.

Hopkins met with SMU coach Jimmy Tubbs on Friday and informed him of the decision.

With a plethora of guards, including Illinois Deron Williams (The Colony) and Wake Forest's Chris Paul, coming out for the draft, it would have been difficult for Hopkins to get drafted in the first round.

"It's a guard heavy draft," Hopkins said. "A lot of point guards are coming out and it would be easier to come out next year. Plus, if the NBA passes that age limit that would be a factor in my decision because a lot of people might come out."

Hopkins said he's determined to finish his college career on a positive and earn his degree in economics.

Life is about choices and I think B-Hop just made a smart one.

Glad to have you home Brian!

I suddenly feel a whole lot better about next year's team.
Welcome home, BHop!

This is just great news on a monday morning. Welcome back B-Hops

great news. The backcourt is now stacked for next year. Not many programs have an experienced tandem like Hopkins and Willingham should be. Cant do it all the time, but I would like to see a lineup on the floor at times of Hopkins, Willingham, Roberts, Pearson and Rack/Morris. If Pearson can bulk up a little more and hold his own at the 4 spot, that lineup could do some damage.

Another possibility is Hopkins, Willingham/Roberts, Pearson, Morris, and Rack/Fall. Either Willingham or Roberts would be a great 6th man, basically a sixth starter. And I think Fall can give minutes off the bench as a 7th man, gonna need his size.

As it looks now, I think next years team looks as competitive or more competitive than this year. I say that because the backcourt will be much better and deeper with Willingham coming in and Roberts having some experience now. The frontcourt will drop off in scoring, but it shouldn't be hard to replace the defense and rebounding. Overall, I think the backcourt improves more than the frontcourt drops off.

And I forgot about the juco, Epps. Ike Ofegobu has struggled making the jump from Hill County, a lower profile JC. But Epps comes from a highly competitive JC whose point guard just signed with Indiana recently. And I think Epps was a two year guy there, so he should be more ready.

I also like that BHop was told to work on his "floor leadership" skills (which read between the lines means assists vs. turnovers). That really should make him doubly inspired to pick up his point guard duties. Getting a degree is a sound move, so that if the NBA doesn't work out.

Fortunately now Tubbs will not have to go through the exercise of pulling twin brother's ride, too. What a happy day for all concerned.

BTW, I guess I have to retract my prior suggestion about him not learning anything with his SMU education--this was definitely a smarter move than his last one.

given the importance of guard play in college.....this is huge for next season

given the importance of guard play in college.....this is huge for next season

I agree - it's hard to put this in words. Dez Willingham might well be the stud we all hope he is, and when Derrick Roberts is someone from whom I think we all expect great things. But Hop has been here for three seasons. If he can stay healthy, I predict a HUGE year for him.

Mark it down today: Bryan Hopkins - All-CUSA first team in 2005-06.

Great news! I am now looking forward to bball season just as much as I am looking forward to football season!

I'm looking forward to football and basketball with equal trepidation also. Hop made the only choice he had. Let's all hope that year 4 is somewhat near what we all expected on day 1. Hop must prove he can handle the ball without TO's and get assists under control. Unfortunately, assists to big men will be diffucult this year w/o Simpson and Castro. Maybe Dement's Rack project will pay off because if not, this team will be dominated underneath. Those lookng for Fall to help this year are going to be sadly disappointed. He just doesn't have the girth to play this year and reminds all who look at him of an undernoursihed Manute Bol. Lots of chicken fried steak needed for this guy along with being chained to the weight room. He seriously needs to gain about 60-80 lbs of muscle. Rack looked like Shaq comparatively at the same point.

yea, but Rack doesnt have long arms and good feet either. Its easy to predict a skinny freshman wont have an impact. Not many freshman do have a big impact anyway. I think the guy is an asset from day 1 in a program that has had no shot blocking or interior defense in forever. I hope he doesnt have to start or play big minutes, but 10-15 minutes a night and a few blocked shots could help SMU right now. And dont expect this guy to put on 60 pounds no matter what. Not that type of body I dont think.

Hoop- Have you actually seen the guy? He was the laughing stock of Team TX when on tour in KC last year. Everyone remembers him becuase he was so tall and skinny and laughably so. He was not even consdered a ball player- just a funny looking person on the team that was going to be someone's project. He will not contribute. If he sees the floor, we are in horrible trouble.