'07 PA PF Herb Pope (NMSU Verbal)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ScoutHoops.com (free)

8/12/05



Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset"><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Scout.com Class of 2007 Rankings

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Mike Beasley (J. Hawkins)

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Dave Telep & Staff Scout.com
Date: Aug 12, 2005

O.J. Mayo fended off all comers to retain his top spot in the Class of 2007 rankings. While Mayo, Mike Beasley (pictured) and Kevin Love are constants in the Top 3, there’s at least one new face in the Top 10.
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<CENTER>Scout.com’s 2007 Post-Summer Top 50</CENTER>

Can anyone catch O.J. Mayo? We’ll probably be asking ourselves that question at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. It seems like Mayo has had a stranglehold on the top slot in the Class of 2007 for sometime now.

So far, so good for the North College Hill standout. Mayo, the single biggest attraction in high school basketball, has withstood the pressure of playing in front of packed gymnasiums each time out and consistently played to a high level.

Mike Beasley, Scout.com’s No. 2 prospect in the class, switched high schools and enrolled at powerful Oak Hill Academy with his friend Nolan Smith (No. 16). Beasley, one of the most versatile forwards around, is a consistent scorer, rebounder and producer. Against older players in the spring and summer, Beasley was remarkably consistent.

Speaking of consistency, Kevin Love isn’t bad either. The best outlet passer in grassroots hoops is also quite the low post scorer. He’ll sneak out to the perimeter and make some jumpers on you and simply knows how to score it inside.



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Rounding out the Top 5 are two backcourt players who bring athleticism to their position. Bill Walker (pictured) is simply the most dynamic dunking machine in the high school game. His throwdowns are genuine momentum changers and more often than not he finishes strong and way above the rim.

While Derrick Rose’s game isn’t nearly as loud as Walker’s, he remains a big time point guard with athleticism, vision, feel and pace. He plays the game much older than his age would lead you to believe.

Most of the names in the remainder of the Top 10 are quite familiar if you follow high school basketball. Kyle Singler (No. 6) missed most of the summer with a knee injury. He remains a primary recruiting target of many elite programs.

Jerryd Bayless (No. 7) put on a show at the Nike All-American Camp to regain his spot in the Top 10 while guys like Cole Aldrich (No. 8) and Eric Gordon (No. 10) have consistently been around the Top 10 for the past year.



<TABLE align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scout.com’s newcomer to the list is charismatic power forward Herb Pope (shown). He started his summer strong on the camp scene and though he left the AAU Nationals early, he did so after leaving quite an impression. Scout.com released its 2008 Top 15 earlier this week and plans on unveiling its 2006 Top 100 on August 15th! Please check back with us!


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[wadc45]

Herb is rated #7 overall in the new Rivals 2007 rankings.

[mcbucks]

Pope de-committed from Pitt. According to scout. Saw the headline on the Cincinnati scout site. Any chance Matta gets involved?

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

scout.com$

8/24/05

As previously posted.....Pope has de-committed from Pittsburgh according to his coach. Apparently, he wants to keep his options open. Pope is now going to school at Jacksonville (Fla.) Arlington Country Day.

(This move has been in the works for awhile now, check previous posts.)

Any chance Matta gets involved?

I would say the odds are good the staff targets Pope, especially after his performances this summer.

[wadc45]

Bucknuts $

8/27/05

Kyle Lamb interviews Herb Pope about why he has re-opened his recruitment. Herb reviews his new list (Pitt, UConn, Arizona, Louisville, Duke, Ohio State, UNC, Xavier, Wake Forest, Florida State and Oklahoma State) and also talks about his feeling about Huggins being let go at Cincy. He talks a little about his previously noted friendship with Rory Nicol as well.

I would be shocked if Thad didn't at least get him in town for a football game this Fall.

POST-GAZETTE

8/26/05

Basketball star Pope might leave

Friday, August 26, 2005

By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Aliquippa basketball star Herb Pope might not return to the school for his junior year.

Pope, a 6-foot-8 forward who is ranked among the top 10 juniors in the country, is considering a transfer to a private school in Florida. He visited Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville this week and was scheduled to return to Aliquippa last night.

Also, Pope's AAU coach said Pope has opened up his recruitment and is no longer verbally committed to Pitt. Pope committed to the Panthers as a sophomore.

"He wants to explore all his options, including high school and college," said J.O. Stright, who coaches Pope on the Pittsburgh JOTS.

Stright, who speaks with Pope regularly, said Pope has not made a decision where he will attend high school.

"My recommendation is that he needs to go to a private school with a good academic program," Stright said. "He needs academic help. He thinks he's good enough to make the NBA someday. But he has to go to college for a year to do that. He could really benefit from a private school."

Aliquippa coach Marvin Emerson said he talked to Pope on the telephone last night, and Pope told Emerson he was coming back to Aliquippa. A spokesperson at Arlington Country Day said yesterday it could not be determined if Pope was officially enrolled.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Wadc...you are correct, if Matta gets a visit, I would think we have a good shot at the very least.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Lamb has reported that OSU may not make a run at Pope at this point. Many people close to the situation feel he will end up signing with Pitt.