Patriots Acquire Pope
Published on September 17, 2003 under NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., September 17, 2003 â Patrick Pope is small in size but big on scoring. Pope, the 2002-2003 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association player of the year, signed with the NBDL and has been assigned to the Fayetteville Patriots as an allocated player.
Pope, a 6-foot guard from Clinton, Md., played college basketball at Division II St. Augustine's College in Raleigh. Pope's local appeal also includes his ties with Fayetteville State University, which plays in the CIAA.
He will be the first of two allocated players who will be assigned to the Patriots before the start of training camp in November. At least one allocated player must make each team's 10-player roster. Teams must also keep two rookies.
"When you come from a Division II school it is harder to get a look from the NBA,'' Pope said. "So I'm excited about the opportunity, and I'm looking forward to showing NBA scouts what I can do. Having played in the CIAA for four years, the Fayetteville area is like home to me."
CIAA alumni in the NBA include Charles Oakley and Ben Wallace of Virginia Union, Fayetteville State's Darrell Armstrong and Shaw's Ronald Murray. Pope is a three-time all-CIAA selection. He averaged 25.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game as a senior.
He is the Falcons' all-time leading scorer with 1,945 points, and was named first-team all-CIAA three times during his career. He scored 41 points in the second half of the semifinals of the 2003 CIAA tournament against Virginia Union.
In five consecutive games last season, he scored 30 or more points. On 43 separated occasions during his career, he scored 20 or more points. He eclipsed 40 points twice in his career. Pope realizes his six-foot frame means he may have to play point guard rather than his normal shooting guard position he was accustomed to playing in college.
"This is an opportunity for me to get exposure,'' Pope said. "This is a place where I can show my whole game against better competition. If they need me to distribute the ball, then that's what I'm willing to do for the team."
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