Tulsa World: Pope settling in at Tulsa

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Pope settling in at Tulsa
Jenks graduate beefs up the arsenal for the Hurricane.

Tulsa's Bryson Pope fights for a rebound under the hoop with St. Mary's Kevin Kotzur (55) and Luiz Moreira (54) during the Tulsa vs St. Mary's men's Basketball game on Friday at the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla. SHANE BEVEL / Tulsa World

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Published: 11/17/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/17/2009 6:26 AM

Tulsa's Bryson Pope accepted the outlet pass, took a couple of dribbles and completed the fastbreak with a thunderous slam dunk.

Then he let loose with a scream that fired up a Reynolds Center crowd in his collegiate debut last week.

The Jenks High School graduate — through two games — has looked at home in his Tulsa jersey.

"His energy has been tremendous," senior Ben Uzoh said. "He has ice water in his veins. Some of the plays that he makes, you wonder 'What is he doing?' and then he pulls something out of his hat."

Pope is scheduled to start his third consecutive game as Tulsa faces Arkansas-Little Rock in a 1 p.m. game at the Reynolds Center. Tuesday's afternoon game is part of ESPN's 24-hour College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.

Pope is the first Tulsa-area player to suit up for the Golden Hurricane since Broken Arrow's Chris Wallace, who finished in the 2005-06 season.

The 6-foot-6 freshman forward is humble with his new role. Pope understands the move from Jenks to Division I basketball is a giant leap.

"(Starting) is an unbelievable opportunity and I'm going to make the best out of it," Pope said. "I'm going to try to help my teammates in any way that I can."

Pope and Uzoh have averaged the most minutes (31.5) through the first two games. Pope is coming off a solid performance against Florida International, when he had eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.

"We've always felt that he's a very good basketball player, first and foremost," TU coach Doug Wojcik said. "He can really drive the ball ... the pressure he puts on a defense, he's going to make things happen."

Pope isn't just going strong to the basket. He's setting up teammates with drives and dishes. Post players Jerome Jordan and Steven Idlet had dunks following nice entry passes from Pope.

"He brings another dimension to our game," TU junior Justin Hurtt said. "He can get the ball to the basket."

Pope was an early target of Tulsa's basketball staff. He was offered a scholarship before his sophomore season at Jenks.

The decision to attend TU was an easy one, considering his home is just a 20-minute drive away.

While he's close to home now, he spent the summer playing for the France National team in the FIBA U19 World Championships in New Zealand.

"The experience definitely helped and it made things on less of a learning curve," Pope said. "I've been able to adjust to the speed of the game a little easier. Also being away from home and on my own was a big help."

Pope said he plans on learning from the veterans while letting the game come to him naturally.

"With every game and practice, I'm feeling more and more comfortable and at ease with the team," Pope said.

Eric Bailey 581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer

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hawkdaddy, (11/17/2009 8:58:23 AM)

Got to see him on Sunday. He looks like he is going to be a stud. Doesn't play like a frosh.

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