A New Era for Florida Poly Basketball
Former NBA champion Dennis Hopson has been appointed as the inaugural head coach of Florida Polytechnic University’s new men’s basketball program, a move that signals the school’s ambition to blend athletic competition with academic excellence.
Hopson’s basketball pedigree is rooted in a storied playing career that began with a No. 3 overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. He was a key member of the 1991 Chicago Bulls championship team, a feat that cemented his place in NBA history.
After stints with the New Jersey Nets, the Sacramento Kings and overseas clubs, Hopson turned to coaching, guiding Lourdes University to a 97‑41 record over five seasons. Under his leadership the program captured three consecutive NAIA tournament appearances and boasted a 99 % student‑athlete graduation rate.
His philosophy centers on six core values — family, integrity, balance, respect, attitude and leadership — and he intends to use the sport as a vehicle for teaching life lessons that extend beyond the hardwood.
Leadership and Recruitment
Athletic Director Derek Lower praised Hopson as “the best person to lead the inaugural basketball season,” noting that recruiting for the first 14‑player roster is already underway as the program prepares for its fall debut.
Florida Poly Athletics will launch eight sports this fall and is seeking membership in the NAIA and the Sun Conference. The university, recently named the No. 1 public college in the South by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth straight year, hopes the new basketball program will further elevate its profile.