Bryce Hopkins certainly had his moment of triumph.
Facing off against his old team for the third time, he delivered what was arguably his best performance this season, helping to secure a win for No. 9 St. John’s over Providence.
As expected, pre-game introductions were met with jeers from the Friars’ supporters. However, there was a noticeable silence from the crowd as he exited in the late minutes, following St. John’s considerable victory in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals.
“I think he was really focused after the first two matchups. He came out strong and didn’t overthink things,” Zubby Ejiofor commented after contributing with 14 points and 13 rebounds in Hopkins’ dominant 85-72 win over the Flyers. “His defense set the tone, which really sparked his offense.”
Hopkins hadn’t been at his best in the prior matchups against Providence, shooting just 6 for 27. But this time, he made a conscious effort to avoid forcing shots. The outcome? One of the standout performances of his career, with efficient shooting (6-of-10) and a season-high in rebounds.
“I think I managed to stay composed and let my teammates shine,” Hopkins reflected. “We’re a solid team, and while there’s a lot of buzz about playing my former team, the focus was on teamwork.”
The highlight of the game? A powerful right-handed dunk over his friend and former teammate, Oswin Elunmuunse, just before halftime.
“It felt great,” he said, smiling. “People might think I’m not capable of turning back the clock, but I felt fantastic.”
Throughout the season, 6-foot-7 Hopkins maintained a commendable attitude towards his old team. Despite the hostility from Flyers’ fans, he expressed disappointment about how the season ended for Providence but emphasized that he didn’t take the rivalry too personally; his main goal was to progress in the tournament.
“I still hold fond memories of my time at Providence, even if feelings aren’t mutual anymore,” said Hopkins, who earned a spot on the All-Big East second team. “That’s just part of basketball. I dedicated three years to Providence.”
