LOUISVILLE, Ky.—A trio of high school seniors became Bellarmine men's basketball's first Division I recruiting class on Wednesday when Curt Hopf (pronounced with long "o" sound, "hope-f"), Ben Johnson and Ayden Mudd committed to the Knights. 
Hopf is a 6-8 forward from Ferdinand, Indiana who will play at Barr-Reeve High School this season.   Johnson is a 6-3 guard from Lexington Catholic, and Ayden Mudd is a 6-7 forward from Louisville's St. Xavier High School.
Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport said this group represents an outstanding class to begin the Knights' Division I era. 
 
"Our transition to Division I, from a recruiting standpoint, has gone incredibly well," he said.  "First, our (current) players are the main reason. They are the best promoters of our program. Great players like Ben, Curt and Ayden want to play with other great players who aspire to be the best they can be. The staff has taken the team approach to recruiting with everyone involved in all aspects of promoting Bellarmine University, our Basketball program and community. This is a tremendous start to a very important class!" 
 
Davenport added, "I can't wait to coach/teach these three super young men because they all have a true passion and desire that all successful players share."
 
CURT HOPF
Hopf missed out playing his junior season when he moved to the Barr-Reeve school district but earned IBCA Small School All-State honors after his sophomore campaign at Forest Park High School when he averaged 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He also enjoyed a successful freshman year as a starter on the Forest Park squad that finished as runner-up at the state tournament.
"I feel great about my commitment (to Bellarmine)," Hopf said.  "I took a lot of time to fully understand what the program was all about, and I began to fall in love with it. The coaches and players alike were so nice and treated me like one of their own from the beginning. When deciding, I always had a feeling that Bellarmine was just right for me, it felt like home. Continuing on, I want to be a part of the rise of a great DI program. There are many exciting experiences to look forward to as we look into the future of my new family."
 
Barr-Reeve Head Coach Josh Thompson said Bellarmine is a good fit for Hopf.  "There were a lot of schools that showed interest in Curt during the recruiting process," he said. "None of them showed the class and commitment that Bellarmine did. I believe that Curt's skill set is a perfect fit for Bellarmine and their style of play. As a coach you develop a special relationship with your players. I feel extremely comfortable with the fact that Curt will continue to grow as a player, but more importantly as a man under Coach Davenport and his staff."
 
Coach Davenport on Hopf: "A true complete player, Curt comes from tradition-rich Southern Indiana where basketball is a way of life. His ability to play the game inside, outside makes him a great addition to our program. Complete players affect the game in multiple ways and that is Curt. He, like all great players, competes at a high level when it is winning time! His desire to continue to grow is what makes all great prospects develop into great players!"
 
BEN JOHNSON
Johnson, who was a 1st Team All-State selection last year by both the Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal, is a prolific scorer and was fifth in the state last season with a 25.6 points per game average.  Much more than just a scorer, however, Johnson also hauled in six rebounds a game and dished out five assists per game last year to help Lexington Catholic to a 31-3 record in 2019-20.  One of just a handful of players who will be a four-year starter, he currently ranks eighth on the Knights' all-time scoring list with 1,730 points.  Johnson has connected on 40 percent of this 3-pointers in his career and enters his senior season with 241 triples to his credit. 
 
"I couldn't be more excited to be signing with Bellarmine University today," Johnson said on Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to getting on campus, competing with my teammates and being part of a great basketball program."
 
Lexington Catholic Coach Brandon Salsman said Bellarmine got a player who, in his estimation, should be a favorite to win Kentucky's Mr. Basketball this season. "I have had the pleasure of watching Ben grow up his entire life.  From his first-grade AAU team to his senior year, Ben has been a model for a great player.  Being the third child and third Division I player in his family, Ben has watched and learned so much.  His career was accelerated from the beginning, and I could not be prouder of him for what he has accomplished during that career.  Bellarmine is getting a player with a tremendous IQ, a player that not only scores at all three levels but can get the ball to people in the best possible position for them to score.  I can assure you Ben Johnson and Bellarmine are as perfect a fit as there can be."
 
Coach Davenport on Johnson: "Ben is a credit to his family, comes from a tremendous high school program and plays with incredible desire. He has a true love for the game and an ability to want to compete that makes him one of the absolute best prospects in the entire state of Kentucky in the class of 2021. What separates Ben is he competes at a very high level in every aspect of the game at both ends of the floor. Tough shots, loose balls, drawing a charge, he wins! A true complete player, he wants to improve every day and does whatever it takes!"
 
AYDEN MUDD
Mudd is a local product from St. Xavier High School, where the 6-7 forward set a career record with 22 rebounds in one game. On the season, he helped the Tigers to a 19-12 mark in 2019-20 and made the 26th District All-Tournament Team.
 
"I chose Bellarmine because it gave me the best opportunity to thrive as a student and an athlete," Mudd said. "I grew up attending camps, games and always dreamed of putting on that Bellarmine jersey. I'm excited to get to work and carry on Bellarmine's winning legacy and team-first tradition."
 
St. Xavier High School Coach Kevin Klein said Mudd joining the Knights is a dream come true. "Ayden is a tremendous student-athlete who has had a burning desire to become a Bellarmine Knight since his elementary days of attending basketball camp in Knights Hall. He has true passion for the game and has worked tirelessly to make himself a Division I basketball player. Ayden is a young, long athlete who is still growing. His team-first mentality, feel for the game, versatility and ability to score and rebound will make him a great asset and help BU continue to compete for championships."
 
Coach Davenport on Mudd: "His mother is a proud Bellarmine alum and former athlete.  He attended our camp growing up, and he is a product of our neighbor St. Xavier High School.  Ayden is a great story of setting a goal and doing whatever it takes to achieve the goal. He had a dream, and we are thrilled he will pursue his dream in our basketball program. A true prospect, he will not turn 18 until July 3 after graduating this spring. His upside is phenomenal not just because of his size and age but because of his tremendous desire."