Mike Hopkins (basketball)

Mike Hopkins

Sport(s)	Basketball
Current position
Title	Assistant coach
Team	Syracuse
Conference	ACC
Biographical details
Born	Laguna Hills, California
Playing career
1989–1993	Syracuse
Position(s)	Guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1996–present	Syracuse (asst.)

Mike Hopkins (born c. 1970) is an American former college basketball player and current assistant coach for the Syracuse Orange from Laguna Hills, California. The 6-foot-5 Hopkins was a fan favorite, known for his all-out hustle and general scrappy play. He is known as a real gym rat, a coach's son; the first one in the gym, last one out; and deceptively fast with a high basketball IQ. He plays the game the right way and gets the most out of his abilities.^[1]

High school

Hopkins was a member of the 1987 California state championship team at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California that also featured future NBA player LeRon Ellis. Hopkins enrolled at Syracuse while Ellis went on to a two-year career at the University of Kentucky. After Kentucky was placed on probation, Hopkins would play an instrumental role in convincing his high school teammate to transfer to Syracuse.^[2]

College

Hopkins played sparingly in his first two seasons at Syracuse before becoming the team's starting shooting guard in his junior year. That year, Hopkins hit the game-winning free throws with three seconds remaining against Connecticut to propel the Orange to the 1992 Big East Championship.^[2]

Hopkins was named captain in his senior season and posted a career high of 9.2 points and added 3.7 rebounds per game. He also had a flair for the clutch, heaving a three-quarter court pass to Conrad McRae for a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot against Villanova. In his final game in the Carrier Dome, Hopkins scored a game-high 20 points and tallied six rebounds and five assists in a 78-74 win over Pittsburgh.^[2]

Hopkins played 111 games throughout his four-year career spanning from 1989 to 1993. He finished with averages of 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Professional career

Hopkins spent time in the Continental Basketball Association with Rochester's (Minnesota) Renegades and also in Europe with teams in the Netherlands and Turkey.

Coaching

Hopkins returned to Syracuse in 1995 and was primarily involved with recruiting and the development of guards. Hopkins played a large role in developing future NBA player Jason Hart and SU standout Allen Griffin. He also been credited for recruiting Gerry McNamara and Billy Edelin.^[2]

In May 2007, it was reported that Hopkins was picked to be Jim Boeheim's successor, even though there was no timetable for Boeheim to retire.^[3] However, in October, Athletic Director Daryl Gross refuted that story, saying that his quote was taken out of context.^[4]

Away from Syracuse, Hopkins was the Court Coach for Team USA in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2010, and 2012.

In March 2010, Hopkins' name surfaced in connection with the head coaching vacancy at Charlotte.^[5] Hopkins was reported to be a finalist for the Oregon State University head coaching vacancy in May 2014.^[6]

On June 25, 2015, Hopkins was formally named Men's Basketball Head Coach-Designate by Syracuse University.^[7]

References