Hart's Cali connections might land us Jason Crowe Jr. That would be a huge get for 2026.
Sounding like the Jason Hart hire is starting reap its benefits
- Thread starter Jamal Sunburn
- Start date
I think Pope put together a solid staff, and we will start to see it in full now that there’s been time to settle in and build relationships.
Don’t know much about Hart, but remember guys like RDF saying it was a fantastic hire for Pope.
Don’t know much about Hart, but remember guys like RDF saying it was a fantastic hire for Pope.
Was just getting ready to make this same point. I think with Hart and ABIII there were short term considerations such as preexisting relationships that had already been forged (like Crowe) and there are longer term considerations that they are exceptional recruiters.
I’d also say that (maybe by circumstance) there is a bigger picture developing on Pope’s overall strategy.
Recruit talented in-state kids who have a higher probability of staying 2+ years and have the intrinsic understanding of what it means to wear the jersey.
Fill in high level 5 stars but in smaller doses than we’ve seen over the last 15 years.
Find the “in-between” 4 stars who could blow up or could provide a few years continuity. Fill gaps year to year in the portal.
Maybe it’s an obvious point, but it’s interesting to me to see it play out.
I’d also say that (maybe by circumstance) there is a bigger picture developing on Pope’s overall strategy.
Recruit talented in-state kids who have a higher probability of staying 2+ years and have the intrinsic understanding of what it means to wear the jersey.
Fill in high level 5 stars but in smaller doses than we’ve seen over the last 15 years.
Find the “in-between” 4 stars who could blow up or could provide a few years continuity. Fill gaps year to year in the portal.
Maybe it’s an obvious point, but it’s interesting to me to see it play out.
We are also getting a visit soon from a 2026 kid rated in the top 10 on some services, I believe he is a four star overall but rising Miikka Muurinen, a 6-10 PF.
I like this kid from Finland has height and can shoot it from everywhere would be a great piece in this spread offense
Pope assembled a top 20 team in less than 5 weeks.
It's going to be fascinating to see what he does with a complete year to recruit.
It's going to be fascinating to see what he does with a complete year to recruit.
And Things are heating up with Mikel Brown, '25 5 star point
Great to hear Dave, I believe he is from our Orlando area. Missing the ocean breeze in the Villages?
He’s on the smaller side at least weight wise but he’s athletic and can really shoot it in the clips I’ve seen. It’s highlights but his form is pretty. He appears to have a great handle and a variety of ways to score. I haven’t seen many guards that look better on film than he does.
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Daytona/Ormond beaches Not all that far away. Brown has some similarity to Dillingham but is a true pg. 38% from 3. 5.5 assists. And we are getting a visit in late september I think.
I thought he had some Dilly in his game as well. He finishes around the basket a lot like him.
The verdict:
Brown
Johnson
Moreno
Yessoufou
Bring back: Perry, Noah, Chandler, Oweh, and Garrison.
Close out by adding three from the portal (one point guard; one stretch 4; and another pure big man).
Brown
Johnson
Moreno
Yessoufou
Bring back: Perry, Noah, Chandler, Oweh, and Garrison.
Close out by adding three from the portal (one point guard; one stretch 4; and another pure big man).
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They must want Brown at point guard and Jasper Johnson off the ball. That means no Burries, but I think we can all live with a Brown/Johnson combo. Throw a portal guard in there with a combination of Chandler and Perry returning that's a solid backcourt.
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What about Mullins? It’s going to be interesting how this recruiting class plays out.The verdict:
Brown
Johnson
Moreno
Yessoufou
Bring back: Perry, Noah, Chandler, Oweh, and Garrison.
Close out by adding three from the portal (one point guard; one stretch 4; and another pure big man).
I think UK's in great shape for Mullins. I could see UK landing him.
The five potential returners makes this really interesting because all five of them can play, and it seems like they all want to be here. Even if Pope brings in an elite class, I just don't see a scenario where he has to overly depend upon them. Five returners plus 3 legit portal transfers allows the freshmen to be brought along slowly.
5 of the top 10 are in Cali so hopefully his connection is paying off!
Exactly, it’s a perfect recipe to win. Talented returnees and experience. 3 impact transfers with expierence who could be go to scorers. Elite HS talent that can develop and put a team over the top by the end of the year. Your Copper Flagg, Sheppard, Dilly, level recruits are what it takes to win a ship. If they have a legitimate team around them to help carry the load, and a coach with an actual game plan.
California, Texas, Georgia are 3 states that are super important for recruiting. Along with the major east coast basketball hubs and our Midwest roots. Plenty of talent usually to win big in those areas.
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