PROVIDENCE – Bryce Hopkins didn’t make his triumphant return to the court on Tuesday night.
But by the sounds of it, the Providence star will be back sooner rather than later.
After going through a full practice on Monday, Hopkins looked ready to go as he worked out prior to the Friars game against Delaware State. Hopkins went through warmups but never returned to the court, leaving the obvious question of when he’ll be back in a PC uniform.
“We don’t know,” Providence coach Kim English said. “He practiced [Monday], full-go [Monday]. He had a great day – five-on-five, one-on-one, did everything for the first day.
“He looked really, really good. He was running fast, played three-on-three after practice. He looked good so he’s close.”
Tuesday seemed like an ideal game to get Hopkins season going.
Hopkins tore his ACL in a game against Seton Hall on Jan. 4 and his return date has been the biggest story surrounding the Friars in the preseason and as they started non-conference play.
Recovery time on the injury varies from athlete to athlete and sport to sport. Providence didn’t necessarily need Hopkins – who’s on the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year watchlist and a Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watchlist – for its first five games.
Delaware State, ranked at 346 in KenPom, seemed like a perfect place to get the ball rolling. Hopkins could be eased into play and get warmed up for the Friars’ trip to the Bahamas where they’ll play Oklahoma with either Davidson or Arizona to follow.
But English wasn’t concerned about Hopkins potentially making his debut against team of that caliber.
“He gets to play against high-major competition every day in practice,” English said. “When it’s time for him, he’ll be ready.”
After the trip to the Bahamas, Providence returns to The AMP on Dec. 3 to host Brigham Young. If Hopkins doesn’t make his debut in a tropical climate, come back at home doesn’t seem like a bad option.
But the game after that the Friars play at URI, and if his return occurred it would only add to the storylines surrounding that game.
Of course, English, PC, Hopkins and the Hopkins’ family aren’t concerned about things like that. Based off Tuesday’s pre-game activity and English’s postgame report, a return is eminent and the timing will be easy to figure out.
“When everyone involved in this process feels it’s the right time, it will be the right time,” English said. “He needs to have a good off-day [Wednesday] and recovery and film and have another good day on Thursday and then Friday, Saturday, Sunday off, travel Monday.”
