Hopson joins BGSU staff

10/1/2009

BOWLING GREEN - Toledo native Dennis Hopson, a former Ohio State and Bowsher standout, joined the Bowling Green State University men's basketball coaching staff yesterday.

Hopson, who is the Buckeyes career scoring leader (2,096 points) and was the No. 3 pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, fills a coaching void that had been vacant since former assistant George Jackson accepted a similar position at Cincinnati this summer.

Hopson has spent the past 2 1/2 years as an assistant coach at Northwood University (NAIA school in West Palm Beach, Fla.) under coach Rollie Massimino.

"I am truly honored to be selected as a Bowling Green men's basketball assistant coach," Hopson said. "I look forward to joining the Falcon family, coach Louis Orr, the staff, and the great tradition that Bowling Green State University has to offer.

"This position represents a dream job for me and I look forward to developing student athletes on and off the court."

Drafted by the New Jersey Nets, he played six seasons in the NBA, including the 1990-91 season as a member of the Chicago Bulls' first NBA championship team. He also spent seven years playing overseas in Spain, France and Israel.

At Ohio State he earned Big Ten player of the year and All-American honors in 1987. He averaged 29.0 points per game during the 1986-87 season to finish second in the nation in scoring.

His coaching experience also includes time working in the Continental Basketball Association. He has served as a NBA scout.

"Dennis brings a strong passion for working with and developing young people, along with a great love for the game of basketball," Orr said. "He's very hands-on with the student athletes and because of his vast basketball experience at all levels, he can relate to them. Dennis has been where they are and also where they want to go."