Mike Hopkins played from 1990-93
Catching Up With SU Basketball Legends: Mike Hopkins
8/6/2011 7:01:57 PM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As one of the most popular players in Syracuse University basketball history, Mike Hopkins has been an assistant coach for the Orange since 1995.
With Hopkins as a central figure at Jim Boeheim's Fantasy Camp last week, SUAthletics.com caught up with him to get his thoughts on the camp and to reflect on his playing days.
It must be nice to see all these former SU stars back here working the camp
"It means so much to see the camaraderie. They are all so enthusiastic about the program. I played with Derrick Coleman and also watched him; he was one of my idols growing up. John Wallace, Todd Burgan, Lawrence Moten, there are so many great players here. To see all those players back here who helped build the dome is great."
What is your favorite SU memory as a player?
"Lawrence Moten and I were just talking about this. I was on the bench against Connecticut when Conrad McRae went down with a bad injury. It was a tie game with three seconds on the clock and I was called in to take the free throws. I was really nervous at the time. I made the first and then Lawrence Moten came over and kissed me. I air-balled the second and from then on it was known as the kiss of death. That was one of my favorite memories of Syracuse basketball."
What does a facility like the Carmelo Anthony Basketball Practice Facility do for your recruiting process?
"It's everything. Knowing the amount of support you get, not only from the fans, but from the administration to make this one of the best places in the country to play college basketball. We have the best facilities and the best of everything. Daryl Gross has done a great job of putting us in that position. Syracuse has always had great programs, but now every team has the best facilities too. He has done a great job of raising the money and getting them built."
The 12 part “Where Are They Now” series continues tomorrow with Orange graduate assistant Gerry McNamara.
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