Ed Cooley believes the sky is the limit for Bryce Hopkins in St. John’s

Ed Cooley has won a recruiting battle for Bryce Hopkins once before, but not this time.

Now the Georgetown coach will have to deal with Hopkins in St. John’s this season, along with the 6-foot-6 forward. He is expected to be one of the best players in the country After being transferred from God’s care.

“Do I think we have Bryce? No,” Cooley said at Big East media day at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. “It’s the recruiting process. It’s the gateway. I think he’s chosen where he can develop and become the best player he can be, and I think he’s chosen a coach that’s going to push him to be the best player he can be.”

This coach is Rick Pitino, Who beat out Cooley to win Hopkins’ services For his final season of eligibility.

The Illinois native began his college career at Kentucky and left after one season for Providence, where Cooley was the head coach.

He averaged more than 15 points and eight rebounds per game in his one-plus season in Providence before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

After returning late last season, he entered the portal again and ended up at Queens, where Pitino hopes to be an integral part of a top team.

He did not start in the preseason opener against Towson, as Pitino wanted Hopkins to step up his game and reach his potential.

But Pitino said Tuesday Hopkins will be in the top five when St. John’s hosts Michigan at MSG in another exhibition game.

“Bryce was great last week,” Pitino said. “He played great in the opening exhibition game. He’ll start against Michigan. … His body looks great. He’s lost a lot of weight. He’s toned it down. He’s shooting the ball well. He’s playing good basketball.”

That’s what Cooley expected when Hopkins arrived in Queens.

“Bryce is a really good player,” Cooley said. “We were really fortunate to take him from Kentucky and come to Providence and go to St. John’s. I think he’s going to be one of the best players in the country.”

And Pitino is a big reason for that.

“I think he’s playing for the best college coach in the history of college basketball in Rick Pitino,” Cooley said. “I think he’s an incredible motivator (and) innovator for the sport. … I think (Hopkins) has chosen where he can grow and become the best player he can be, and I think he’s chosen a coach that is going to push him to be the best player he can be.”

Despite his disappointment, Kohli added that he has no regrets about not getting Hopkins.

“I don’t think you can ever look in the rearview mirror when you think about recruiting in this day and age,” Cooley said. “He’s (about) today. What have you done for me lately? He’s playing for a great team, he’s got this building (MSG) to play in.”