2022 point guard Jordan Pope names top 4 schools

Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep point guard Jordan Pope has made the next step in his recruiting process, as he narrows his list to four schools – Wichita State, Oregon State, Nevada, and San Francisco.

The 6-foot senior prospect has made official visits to each of his finalists besides San Franciso. Pope is thinking about making a trip to the Dons but is unsure yet.

“I’m thinking about it, it’s local,” Pope said of visiting San Franciso. “I was thinking about doing that last but I may or may not get to that (visit).”

Why did these four programs make the cut?

“They all showed me the most love…all were willing to take a chance on me and believe in me,” Pope explained. “That stood out the most, to go along with how serious they were about recruiting me.

“For Oregon State, the Pac-12 conference is one of the best conferences you can find. It’s a stage I could potentially see myself on and thrive and would want to be in…to try to excel and show my talents.

“With San Francisco, they are in the West Coast Conference which is a pretty good conference as well. A lot of competition. It’s another place I could see myself.

“Wichita State is in the American Athletic Conference, so they’re in the same conference as Memphis and others.

“Nevada is in the Mountain West…a lot of good schools in there as well.

“All four schools, I love the conferences they’re in and the competition they provide. I can see myself thriving in any of the four conferences. No matter how big or small they are, all four provide a great opportunity. I love all four of the head coaches…really, really good player-coaches. Me as a player, that’s the best thing I could ask for…someone that will help me develop as a player but also as a human being.”

The recruiting pitch

Jordan Pope says each of the four programs had nearly the same recruiting pitch.

“All of the coaches…one of the first things they told me when they started to recruit me was they wanted me to be myself. Obviously, nothing is given to you, you have to work for it. Them believing in me and telling me I’d be able to play my game, and do what I do best, which is what I want to do. That really reeled me in.”

The playing style and fit are also important to Pope at the next level.

“All of their offenses are pretty free-flowing, fluid, and up-and-down. Nothing too slow, which is how I like to play. I don’t want to be in a slow system. There’s nothing wrong with it, it just doesn’t compliment my game.”

What will Pope bring to the college level?

“For one I’ll be able to bring leadership. As a point guard, you have to have leadership, be a floor general, and be an extension of the coach. Two, a versatile shot-making, playmaker. A lot of coaches believe I can play point guard and shooting guard because of my ability to score and also facilitate. I’m blessed I’m able to do those two things. Three, spacing. Like I said, I can shoot the ball really well. It’s hard to have an efficient-flowing offense without good spacing.

“The school will be getting a dog, someone who plays with a chip on their shoulder, someone that doesn’t get too high or too low, someone who just wants to compete and play extremely hard every single possession.”

Timetable

Pope isn’t in too big of a rush to make a decision but says one will come soon, possibly within the month.

“I haven’t put too much thought into it yet, but maybe in about a month or so. Maybe end of March, or beginning of April, but most likely by the end of March.”