SoCalHoops Recruiting News

WAC: SMU Signs 2 Guys You Should Have Heard Of,
The Hopkins Twins--(Nov. 15, 2001)

Ok, so SMU is a bit closer to the "west" than Louisiana.  After all, Texas is about as "western" as it comes (rodeos, barbecue, ponies and cattle, ad infinitum).  And yesterday, SMU Coach Mike Dement signed two guys who not only have you probably heard about, but if you haven't you definitely will, Bryan and Ryan Hopkins, one of whom (Bryan) is considered to be one of the best point guards ever signed by SMU and one of the top guards coming out of a very strong class in Texas this year.   Here's the official press release:

SMU Hoopsters Sign Hopkins Brothers
Ponies Land Local Duo

DALLAS(SMU) -- Guards Bryan and Ryan Hopkins have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the SMU Mustangs, Head Coach Mike Dement announced Wednesday, Nov. 14.  The seniors at Dallas Lincoln High School will be the first set of twins to play at SMU and are the first set of brothers to team up since Gene and Lynn Phillips did in the 1968-69 season.

Bryan Hopkins signs with the Ponies as perhaps the most highly-touted recruit in SMU history, ranked as high as the nation's No. 8 prospect.  Hoop Scoop's Clark Francis had glowing remarks about Hopkins, saying, "Bryan Hopkins is capable of dominating a game from the point guard spot, because he's an incredible athlete who can explode over you going to the hole or pull up and keep you honest from beyond the arc with his outside shooting. In other words, Mustangs' head coach Mike Dement is about to take this program to another level. Last spring he landed a good class that included Eric Castro, Patrick Simpson, Billy Pharis, Justin Isham and Brian Miller."

Continuing in SMU's great guard tradition of Jeryl Sasser and Damon Hancock, Francis says Hopkins gives the Mustangs another "go-to guy that will run the show and make everybody else around him that much better." 

Alliance Sports ranks the 5-10 point guard as the 24th-best player in the land, while Rivals.com ranks him as the nation's No. 5 point guard. The Insiders.com ranks Hopkins as the nation's 36th-best talent, while Basketball America's composite rankings place him at No. 29 nationally. Recruiting expert Mike Kunstadt of Texas Hoops said Hopkins is part of a senior class that is considered possibly the top recruiting class Texas has ever produced.  "He's a great athlete with skill," said Kunstadt. "He can score, penetrate and dish, handle the ball and he can jump out of the gym. For 5-10, he plays like 6-4. He's lightning quick. It's a great commitment for SMU." 

Hopkins chose SMU over Texas, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State and Arkansas. "I wanted to come into a program where I can start something special and build it up," Hopkins said. "I'm excited and I'm ready to go. When I went up on my visit, we clicked and I felt I could fit in." 

Hopkins was a member of The Dallas Morning News' first-team All-Area squad last season as a junior after leading his team to the Class 4A state semifinals and a 29-3 record. He averaged 18.2 points per game and 5.7 assists. 

"He's such an exciting player," Lincoln coach Leonard Bishop said. "He's going to bring the fans out to watch him play. He's explosive, a crowd-pleaser and he works hard."

Ryan Hopkins was a member of Lincoln's 4A Texas state semifinalist squad and was the second of the brothers to commit. At 6-1, the combo guard and will give the Ponies depth at both guard positions.  "Bryan and Ryan are outstanding young men that we are excited to have joining our team," said SMU Head Coach Mike Dement. "They come from a very close-knit family and, ironically, they will get a chance to play against their brother, Leonard, a great player at the University of North Texas, over the next few years." 

"They play in a great program at Lincoln High School, as did one of our star players over the last four years, Willie Davis. They are winners and are extremely well-coached by Leonard Bishop at Lincoln." 

"Bryan will take over the point guard position that will be vacated by Damon Hancock at his graduation this spring. Ryan will add depth at the combo-guard position." 

"Bryan had a great spring and summer - as good as any guard in the nation. He is one of the most exciting players to watch that you will ever see. He is a legitimate McDonald's All-America candidate. I know the SMU students and fans will respond to this young man as he is the highest-rated player that we have signed. As a coaching staff, we know how fortunate we are to have these young men becoming such a big part of this university and are also very excited about signing one of the top players in the country."

 
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