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Head Coach Mike Hopkins Faces Toughest Sales Pitch Of Career

By Bret Stuter

Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The University of Washington Huskies Mens Basketball head coach Mike Hopkins will find no rest as he assumes his role. In fact, he faces the toughest sales pitch of his career. He must convince 2017 basketball recruits to remain with the program

When Mike Hopkins mulled over potential basketball head coaching positions, he considered many factors.  He surely noticed the fact that the University of Washington Huskies Mens Basketball program.  They had  just released the head coach, but boasts the fourth rated 2017 recruiting class per 247sport.com.

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Syracuse Basketball: 5-star target balls out in EYBL, offered by Coach Hop
Syracuse Basketball: 5-star target balls out in EYBL, offered by Coach Hop /

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    • That type of luck is similar to being short on the paycheck, but finding an unclaimed wallet stuffed full of money at his front door. Mike Hopkins was no slouch when he elected which head coaching position to interview for.

    Now we must hope that Mike Hopkins is no slouch at recruiting.  In short, he must now sell his vision to the existing players and recruits, who are projected to play for the University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball team in 2017.

    Toughest Sales Pitch

    It won’t be an easy task. Despite letters of intent, he faces a group who were recruited by the former head coach, Lorenzo Romar. But Coach Hopkins has some things going for him. Namely 16 NCAA tournament appearances.

    Ultimately, basketball is basketball. Young men who want to be the best they can be.  Above the ties of family and friendships, there is basketball competition. Competing among the best to be the best.  It’s not an easy road.  But it’s a worthy journey.

    2017 Recruiting Class

    So much has been made of 6-foot-10 small forward Michael Porter Jr. that the rest of the class has been obscured in his shadow. But there is 6-foot-3 guard Daejon Davis who is ranked 2 in the state of Washington behind Porter.

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    Right behind the pair is 6-foot-4 shooting guard Jaylen Nowell, ranked 3 in the state. Ranked 8 in the state is 6-foot-3 point guard Blake Harris. Rounding out the class, and ranked 3 in the state of South Carolina, is 6-foot-9 small forward Mamoudou Diarra.

    NEXT: Washington Huskies WBB Face Oklahoma Sooners Today

    With the team losing Markelle Fultz (NBA Draft) and Malik Dime (graduation), there will be several roles to fill with new faces, as well as in the development of existing players.  And filling those roles begins this week.

    NEXT: Will Markelle Fultz Land Top Spot In 2017 NBA Draft?

    Hopefully, Mike Hopkins can multitask. He’s got to recruit new players, persuade existing recruits, hire or confirm a new coaching staff, and prepare for the 2017 NCAA basketball season. And that’s just this week’s “To Do” list.  Of all tasks, sharing his vision with the 2017 Recruiting class has got to be the priority.

    And so it begins.

    And that one didn’t go so well.

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