Bryce Hopkins felt like he was 'playing like a robot' at Kentucky

John Calipari has a particular way of running things, and if you don’t fit a certain mold it is very hard to succeed at Kentucky regardless of talent. Just ask Bryce Hopkins, who has become one of the nation’s biggest surprises after transferring to Providence for his sophomore year.

Hopkins is averaging 16.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for Ed Cooley and the Friars — at Kentucky, he averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per outing during his freshman season.

“It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it means a lot because you’re not having to look over your shoulder when you make a mistake,” Hopkins said to Brian Hamilton of The Athletic, via KSR. “I feel like last year when I got out there, I was under a microscope. (John Calipari) only wanted me to do certain things, and it was like I was playing like a robot. 

“Now, when I get on the court, it’s like coach Cooley is allowing me to do whatever I want, but under his system. I just can’t thank him enough for that.”

Calipari is the type of coach that will pull someone and bench them if they don’t do what he needs them to do, whether that means taking (or not taking) a shot, giving up open looks, losing rebounds, not hustling, etc.

That type of pressure from your coach — let alone 20,000 strong in front of you at Rupp Arena, more than likely on ESPN on a nightly basis. It’s a lot of pressure for a young player, and being able to get away from the spotlight and go to a school like Providence where they are still nationally relevant (even more so than UK right now), while not having the massive stage that Kentucky does.

It isn’t the first time a Kentucky player has transferred away and seen oodles of success elsewhere. Keion Brooks Jr., who was on Kentucky for the past three seasons before this year, has a similar role for Washington this season. He’s a completely different player without Calipari’s shackles on him. Former UCLA star Johnny Juzang is another prime example.

Transferring away from Kentucky doesn’t always mean immediate success elsewhere. These players found the right system at the right time and ran with it. You can’t fault Bryce Hopkins and the others for bettering themselves on and off the court.