Mark Pope, the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, has made it clear what one thing would make him hesitant to recruit a player. According to Pope, if a recruit has bad shooting mechanics, he “won’t touch him.” Pope emphasized that by the time a player reaches college, they’ve already repeated their shooting form around 100,000 times, making it challenging to change.
This stance highlights Pope’s focus on fundamentals and his prioritization of players with sound shooting techniques. Given the limited time available to teach shooting at the college level, Pope’s approach is centered on finding players who already possess the skills necessary to excel in his program.
Shooting mechanics matter greatly to Pope, and he stresses the importance of proper shooting form, indicating that recruits with bad mechanics are unlikely to get a chance. With players having already developed their shooting habits, Pope believes there’s insufficient time to make significant changes at the college level. The Kentucky coach prioritizes players with sound techniques, underscoring his commitment to building a strong foundation for his team.
