By ADAM ZAGORIA
Ed Cooley is re-loading in a big way at Providence.
The reigning Big East Coach of the Year added a fifth off-season transfer on Monday when Kentucky transfer Bryce Hopkins pledged to the Friars.
Providence was in his final three along with Illinois when he initially committed to Kentucky in October 2020.
“I will be committing to Providence,” he said. “I am going to Providence because I felt like I was not only wanted but needed. Also before I committed to Kentucky me and Coach Cooley had built a strong relationship and I feel that he has a great plan for me to get to the next level.”
The 6-foot-6 freshman forward from Oak Park, Illinois made 28 appearances during his freshman year at Kentucky and averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in 6.5 minutes per outing. He had a career-best 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting with four boards in 16 minutes in a come-from-behind win over LSU.
“I will bring a versatile skillset to Providence,” he said. “I will bring an inside-out game and someone who will bring a lot of energy. Winning is big for me too and I want to do something special in Friartown with an amazing fan base!”
Hopkins will join fellow transfers Corey Floyd Jr. (UConn), Noah Locke (Louisville), Devin Carter (South Carolina) and Clifton Moore (La Salle). Floyd committed Sunday.
“Providence has already received a good amount of recruits in Devin Carter, Noah Locke, Clifton Moore, and Corey Floyd,” Hopkins said. “I think we have a lot of gritty players that want to win and we will do something special in Friartown!”
The Friars also bring in freshmen guards Jayden Pierre and Quante Berry.
Nate Watson, Al Durham and Justin Minaya have all exhausted their eligibility and declared for the NBA Draft, as has senior AJ Reeves.
Noah Horchler has also exhausted his eligibility.
The Friars won their first-ever Big East regular season title last season and made a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament where they lost to eventual NCAA champion Kansas.
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