Despite its proximity to the Hilltop, Baltimore is not Georgetown territory, so when two of Bob Wade's Dunbar HS stars enrolled at Georgetown in the early 1980's, it was big news. Almost ten years earlier, Wade sent a young center from Edmundson HS named Ed Hopkins to the Hilltop, who quickly became one of its unsung heroes of the mid 1970's.

A center in high school, Hopkins spent his first two years at power forward, with Merlin Wilson in the pivot. Hopkins started every game his freshman year, shooting 49% from the field and averaging 9.8 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. As a second rebounding option alongside Wilson, Hopkins helped drive the Hoyas into the ECAC playoffs. Hopkins was a key factor in the 1975 ECAC final, not for his shooting (a career low 4 for 16), but for his 12 rebounds in the game, including the final rebound that led Derrick Jackson to the game winner.

Hopkins suffered a serious knee injury that demanded surgery in the summer of 1975, and much of his sophomore year was hampered by its recovery. His averages dipped by about half, but Hopkins still played in 26 of 28 games. By 1976-77, Merlin Wilson had graduated and Hopkins moved into the pivot, seeing his averages grow to 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds a game, averaging a team leading 57 percent from the field. Though not the leading scorer, his defensive presence was vital--Hopkins' ankle injury prior to the 1977 ECAC playoffs was felt acutely by the Hoyas, who lost by 22 to Old Dominion.

For 1977-78, Hopkins continued to contribute on both sides of the floor. The return of Craig Shelton from injury and a pivot rotation with Tom Scates limited some of Hopkins' rebounding, but he still managed some big games for the 1978 NIT semifinalists, including 29 points against North Carolina Central and a career high 16 rebounds against Detroit. Hopkins was selected by the Washington Bullets in the 7th round of the 1978 NBA draft, but did not make the team.

The injury plagued 1975-76 season likely cost Ed Hopkins a 1000 point career and perhaps a 900 rebound career as well. Nonetheless, his shooting and rebound numbers still compare favorably with the best of his generation.