Josiah Pope talks transfer to Wharton, offers and more
2017 F Josiah Pope is a name you don’t know yet in Florida but you will awfully soon. The rising senior comes down to Wharton from Wilson (Washington, DC). He averaged 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals…
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Continue Reading2017 F Josiah Pope is a name you don’t know yet in Florida but you will awfully soon.
The rising senior comes down to Wharton from Wilson (Washington, DC). He averaged 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season and now he joins a Wildcats that went 21-5 in 2015.
Pope was forced to sit out this summer of AAU ball with Baltimore Elite due to bronchitis. Prior to that, he missed part of the season after his mother suffered a stroke seven games into his junior year.
The 6’7″, 190-pounder moved down to Tampa to live with his father. He wanted to focus on finishing senior year strong in the hopes of playing for a Division-I school in Florida.
Coming from a young Wilson team to a young Wharton team, Pope says he is really looking forward to this upcoming season.
“I’ve gotten to become good friends with the team and I realize that it’s another young team but very talented. We’ve been playing together a lot and developing chemistry among each other so we are definitely going be ready for this season. I love the Wildcat vibe so far and the school spirit.”
How would he break down his own game?
“I think I have a very unique game especially to the eyes of the people in Florida. I would say I’m a good all-around player, I feel that at the high school level I can play every position 1-5. I have a good outside shot and range to add to it. I’d say my mid range is my strength. I can also pass and bring the ball up the court.”
Pope says he tries to model his game after three guys, Magic Johnson, Kevin Durant and Paul George while adding a taste of his own skills.
As for his best attributes, he says that is his energy and leadership.
“Nothing was given to me in my life. I had to work hard for it all so I play with a chip on my shoulder.”
He’s working on improving his ballhandling and making his jump shot more consistent. Pope has been in the gym almost non-stop since moving to Tampa aiming to get his cardio back up to par.
Currently, he has offers out from five schools, two Division-I offers from Howard and Bryant, one from Division-III District of Columbia and two junior colleges Montgomery and Corning.
Pope also has interest from Farleigh-Dickinson (Division-I), Central Connecticut State (Division-I), Iona (Division-I), Washington College (Division-III and Dean (NJCAA).
Making his presence known in Florida will help his stock and right now Pope should be able to do just that surrounded plenty of athletes at Wharton.