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Friars’ Star Forward Bryce Hopkins to Miss Remainder of Season

In a devastating development for the Providence Friars, star forward Bryce Hopkins will miss the remainder of the college basketball season due to a lingering knee injury. Head coach Kim English made the announcement on his local television show, confirming that Hopkins will not return to action this year.

Hopkins’ Injury Struggles Continue

Hopkins, a highly touted transfer from Kentucky, has been plagued by knee issues dating back to last season. The 6-foot-7 forward initially suffered a torn ACL in January 2024, causing him to miss the final few months of the Friars’ campaign. After an offseason of rehab, he made his much-anticipated Providence debut on December 3rd.

However, Hopkins’ return was short-lived. He appeared in just three games for the Friars before a bone bruise in the same knee sidelined him once again. Hopkins has not played since mid-December, missing the team’s last nine contests.

“He’s not going to play for the rest of this season. And I get it. I get it, with him losing his junior season last year after playing in 13 games.”

– Providence coach Kim English

Shifting Focus to Next Season

With Hopkins’ health the top priority, Coach English and the Friars are taking a cautious long-term approach. Rather than have the star forward attempt to manage the injury and risk further setbacks, Providence will shut Hopkins down for the year.

“We didn’t want it to be a thing where Bryce is managing his knee game-to-game, playing half a season,” English explained. “He’s going to get a redshirt and we’re going to start our focus on getting him right for next season.”

Major Blow for Friars’ Aspirations

Losing Hopkins is a massive blow for a Providence team looking to make noise in the Big East and nationally. The versatile forward earned First Team All-Big East honors last season, averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds before the injury cut his breakout year short.

Hopkins’ talent was on full display in his brief action this season as well. In his three appearances, the redshirt junior averaged an impressive 17 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to stuff the stat sheet.

“He’s a uniquely talented player, a true inside-out threat at the forward position. It’s a big loss for us, but we support Bryce and know he’ll come back stronger.”

– Providence assistant coach Jeff Battle

Next Man Up for Providence

With their star sidelined, other Friars must step up to fill the void. Senior forward Ed Croswell, sophomore wing Jayden Pierre and freshman guard Garwey Dual will be relied upon heavily to shoulder the scoring load and provide playmaking.

  • Ed Croswell: Senior captain providing veteran leadership and physical interior presence.
  • Jayden Pierre: Exciting young wing looking to expand his role in the offense.
  • Garwey Dual: Freshman point guard thrust into the spotlight to run the team.

At 10-10 overall and 4-5 in Big East play, the undermanned Friars have their work cut out for them. With Hopkins sidelined, Providence faces an uphill battle to climb up the conference standings and secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

Bryce Hopkins’ Future Outlook

While the news is disappointing for Hopkins and the program, there is still plenty of optimism about his future. The former consensus four-star recruit will use this extended recovery time to get fully healthy and come back stronger than ever in 2025-26.

“I’m going to turn this into a positive and use this time to get my knee back to 100%. My story is far from over. Friar fans, I’ll see you next season!”

– Bryce Hopkins via Twitter

When he returns to the court, Hopkins will look to regain the form that made him one of the Big East’s most productive and feared players. If he recaptures that All-Conference level of play, Hopkins will reestablish himself as an NBA prospect and potential All-American candidate.

For now though, Hopkins and the Friars must play the long game. His health and future are the top priorities as Providence weathers this challenging season and builds toward a brighter future with their star forward leading the way.