Recruiting Report: Tommie Pope (2018)
It’s not too often that you see a player who started as a freshman and sophomore for back-to-back state champions that is as undervalued and overlooked as Tommie Pope. The 6’0” point guard has played a vital role in Norcom’s…
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Continue ReadingIt’s not too often that you see a player who started as a freshman and sophomore for back-to-back state champions that is as undervalued and overlooked as Tommie Pope. The 6’0” point guard has played a vital role in Norcom’s last two state championships, one in 4A and one in 3A, an experience that he says could not have been scripted any better.
“It was fun,” Pope said about his first two high school seasons. “I love being part of a team that I had to work my way into the lineup and prove that I deserved to be there. Learning and developing under Coach Goolsby and [senior] Travis Fields has definitely helped my game and my maturity.”
His maturity is something that you see with Pope, who always has the same demeanor and plays with the poise of players much older than him. He’s very coachable, is a competitor and proves that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win games. He’s had a really good start to the summer for Team Loaded 757, and he’s embraced the role of being the tough guy with both teams.
“I think my role for both my high school and AAU team are pretty similar,” Pope said. “I’m relied on more to score for Loaded, however I know my role is to get all of my teammates going and being a lock down defender for both teams.”
Tommie Pope has shown he can be a reliable scorer this summer with Loaded 757.He does that job very well, as he was looked upon to guard the best player on the other team the last two seasons for Norcom to keep their scorers fresh. However, this summer Pope has shown the ability to attack the gaps and finish at the basket. He’s a strong kid for his size, allowing him to finish through contact, and he’s also shown that he’s an underrated athlete with some big time throw downs in the half court.
Despite his play on the court and two rings already, Pope’s recruitment hasn’t developed the way many would assume. Playing in a niche role in which he doesn’t score a whole lot, especially with Norcom, he continues to fly under the radar. He has kept a good attitude on things however, and he’s just focused on getting better throughout the process.
“I’m just focused on improving my jumper, getting the attention of college coaches and winning a third straight state title,” Pope said.
As he continues to fly under the radar, some lucky coach will find the diamond in the rough and get themselves a tough lead guard who can make winning plays on both ends of the floor for his team.