Seton Hall's Pope Expects to Play Next Season | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Thursday / March 28.
  • Seton Hall’s Pope Expects to Play Next Season

    Share Zagsblog Share Zagsblog
    Seton Hall sophomore forward Herb Pope expects to play for the Pirates next season after collapsing April 30 during a workout.

    “He was discharged [from St. Barnabas Medical Center],” said a source with direct knowledge who requested anonymity. “He is looking forward to getting back on the court to train. He will be playing for Seton Hall basketball next season.”

    SNY.tv reported May 12 that Pope was expected to make a “full recovery” despite the collapse.

    The 6-foot-8 Pope must be cleared by doctors to resume basketball activities, but if he is, Seton Hall could be one of the more dangerous teams in the Big East under first-year coach Kevin Willard.

    “I think if Herb Pope returns with that personnel and the type of coach Kevin Willard is, you’re looking at a team that’s possibly a Top-25 team and a team that will contend to be at the top of the Big East,” one Big East assistant coach said recently.

    “With Kevin’s style of play and those kids, I think that team could be tremendous.”

    Seton Hall finished 19-13 last season, 9-9 in the Big East.

    During a recent interview, Willard said he was “excited” about next year’s team, which will also include returning players Jeremy Hazell, Jeff Robinson, Keon Lawrence and Jordan Theodore, as well as newcomers Fuquan Edwin, Patrik Auda and Anali Okoloji. Hazell, Robinson and Pope all declared for the NBA Draft, but pulled out before the deadline.

    “I’m excited about the kids we have in the program,” said Willard, who took over the Big East program March 28 after Bobby Gonzalez was fired. “I’m excited about where we can go with this team. There’s no promises, no anything. But the six weeks I was here, working with them, getting to know them, great kids. I’m really excited about where we can go.”

    RELATED CONTENT

    **Auda turns down pros for Seton Hall

    **Breakout year for Jeff Robinson?

    **Herb Pope expected to make ‘full recovery

    **Hazell, Robinson returning to Hall

    **Pope improving after collapse

    **Seton Hall going European?

    **Pope, Hazell could return to campus

    **Moore, Edwin drop 26 apiece in Jordan Regional Game

    **Gonzo sues Seton Hall over firing

    **Herb Pope testing NBA waters

    **Kevin Willard to Seton Hall

    **Kevin Willard interviews at Seton Hall

    **Seton Hall moving fast to replace Gonzo

    **Bob Hurley advising Seton Hall on search

    **Enough was Enough: Gonzo Fired

    **Former Seton Hall Player Whitney Arrested

    **Seton Hall recruits up in the air.

    **Stix Mitchell charged with robbery, kidnapping

    Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.

    Written by

    [email protected]

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

  • } });
    X