Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:09 pm Post subject: Malik Pope
I'd really like to hear some other opinions on this kid. From what I've seen I'm pretty intrigued.. Extremely long and pretty athletic and is lights out from 3, he apparently shot 48% from 3 his junior year. His skill set is pretty KD-esque IMO. Plus he's apparently grown to 6-10.
But he broke his leg his senior year and then re-injured it and hasn't played in 18 months. There hasn't been any recent reports on exactly when he'll come back, but judging from reports it seems like he'll be able to play at some point this year.
Anyways, just thought I'd get the conversation started on him, he might be an option for the Houston pick, depending on how he plays and if he decides to come out. One of many reasons to be excited about SDSU this year. Some pretty solid talent on this team. Winston Sheperd is another guy to look at for the Hou pick.
Pope came back earlier than expected. Played 18 minutes on Thursday. Looked good in limited minutes. Kuran Iverson, Chris Walker, and Pope are guys I'm interested to see play this season for that Houston pick.
really like this kid for our Houston pick! I would give him a guarantee that we'd pick him just so he'll come out. doubt he'll come out this year...
I'm absolutely in love with this kids game now though. He raised his shot release a little and he's a LEGIT 6'10. With his range, handle, and size ; he could be very special
Seems like he's being brought on slowly, not too much PT so far. Hasn't super impressed in the time he has gotten either. But then again, I didn't really expect him to do much after being out for so long, especially this early.
As of right now I'd be pretty surprised if he came out this year, its probably in his best interest to stay another year or two to show what he can do. He also strikes me as a guy who will be a better pro than college player, especially playing at a program like SDSU who is a fantastic defensive team that lacks many other legit scoring options. He's still got a boatload of potential though.
For those of you who are too lazy to google him, here's a couple videos since I didn't put any in the first post. Grown 2 inches since these videos to 6'10 btw.
Pope has been playing all PF for SDSU.. Not best for his draft stock, even if he plays well at PF next year. he's most tantalizing as a 6-10 ball handling 3point shooting SMALL Forward. Hopefully we can find a way to draft him next year, don't think he comes out this year
^Even if he continues to struggle to get PT this year, I have a feeling he still ends up going round 1. Too much potential to pass up, especially if he keeps making plays like the ones keepitreal posted. I see him potential being one of those combine wonders who's draft stock takes a quantum leap after putting up crazy numbers.
https://vine.co/v/OjXKpHvHgPL
BIG euro step dunk today vs. UNLV, everybody went crazy the crowd, announcers. the euro step/dunk looked KD easy. he's legit 6'10. really wouldn't mind keeping our draft pick next year for this kid. His off the dribble skills are translating fine too. His shot hasn't come along yet at this level but he was a sharp shooter in high school
My pipe dream is to keep our pick this year, draft a position other than SF. so Okafor,Towns,Winslow,Mudiay -- and then we'd have our 2017 pick, and draft Malik.
Winslow,Malik,Randle would be a spectacular core.
As a season ticket holder to SDSU and an alum, I'd love to see him on the lakers one day, but I'd be surprised if he declared for the draft after this season. Probably next year.
As a season ticket holder to SDSU and an alum, I'd love to see him on the lakers one day, but I'd be surprised if he declared for the draft after this season. Probably next year.
Yea i def. think he's staying. But, if he has a couple more of these 20point games, i wouldnt be surprised to see him jump into the first round in mock drafts.
Pope is steadily rounding into form ... he dropped a baseline throwdown on UNM at the Pit tonight like it was his job. It was a mediocre flush, though, particularly considering the work he regularly conjures in practice.
It's unfortunate that he's being c-blocked a bit by Fisher's insistence on playing JJ O'Brien ridiculous minutes, but the diversity of his skillset and his presence are much more than we usually see down here on the Mesa. Sucks it happened this way, but he's really benefitting from Polee's medical issue and prolonged absence.
I'd say he and Zylan Cheatham are the first two recruits that have shown up here (in forever) already looking "almost" like solid NBA prospects ...
Pope has some really unusual skills (by Aztec standards), but Cheatham is more impressive to me in some ways (e.g., shot needs a lot of work, but his athleticism and "communion with the ball" [my own jargon] is startling at times) ...
Anyway, I would love to see Fisher's work pay off for the Lakers ... with Jamaal playing well on the 'fenders this year, Kawhi up for the RFA round this Summer, Pope (likely) in the 2016 draft (unless he accelerates into the lottery with a big conference tourney and post-season run in a few weeks) and Cheatham (likely) in the 2017 draft ... maybe 20% probability we land at least one of the four ...
Those (prospective) early departures would disappoint more if the cupboard wasn't being replenished seemingly every year with better talent than the previous year ... by way of example, it seems like Winston Shepherd is an afterthought, but I suspect he'll get some attention in either this year's draft or the 2016 iteration ...
So, yeah ... Pope is pretty good.
PS: Forgot to mention Trey Kell; one of my favorites. The kid just seems to make plays that are beyond his years. The poise is there and so is the frame to thrive in the association. Playing time is scarce for him right now, though. Next year will be a breakout year for him, I think (hope). His ascension in the lineup will probably result in Dakarai Allen or Kevin Zabo transferring, though, which is unfortunate ... #kindaunfamiliarproblems4aztecs
Pope with two back to back alley oop dunks last night starting at 36 second mark. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aICarAsS468 if he declares I would hope Lakers would package Houston pick and second rounder to get him.
Pope with two back to back alley oop dunks last night starting at 36 second mark. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aICarAsS468 if he declares I would hope Lakers would package Houston pick and second rounder to get him.
Why would they do that? At the moment he'd be undrafted or a late 2nd round pick.
Pope with two back to back alley oop dunks last night starting at 36 second mark. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aICarAsS468 if he declares I would hope Lakers would package Houston pick and second rounder to get him.
Why would they do that? At the moment he'd be undrafted or a late 2nd round pick.
Nba scouts draft on potential. Pope is listed in some mock drafts as a mid first rounder like Chad Ford. He is coming off if a broken leg last year so his minutes have been limited. Not too many players in this draft that are 6'10 and can hit step back threes while also driving aggressively to the hoop. If he declares it means he has a first round guarantee. He will return to school if he doesn't get a guarantee. Not a chance he would go undrafted. Too much upside.
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