New Mexico State University Athletics

2007-08 (Freshman): Herb Pope was an immediate contributor for the Aggies in his freshman campaign. He ranking third on the team in points (11.1) and rebounds per game (6.8) and was named to the All-WAC Newcomer team. Pope was the first freshman at NMSU to garner that honor. In 16 appearances and 12 games started, he recorded a 45. 6 field goal percentage, 28 assists and 11 blocks. Pope had 11 games in double-figures along with a pair of contests with double-digit rebounding efforts. His best two performances were in the final games of the season against Nevada and Boise State in the WAC Tournament. Pope had his first career double-double versus the Wolf Pack (March 14) with 18 points and 13 rebounds. In the triple overtime WAC Tournament title game against Boise State (March 15), he posted a career-high 20 points, which was also a team high. Pope began a three-game span of double-digit scoring games with 12 points in the first meeting of the year against Nevada (Jan. 24), which was only his second conference game. He followed that showing with 15 points versus Utah State (Jan. 26) and 16 points at Hawai’i (Jan. 31). Pope generated six-straight games in double-figures; 10 points versus Boise State (Feb. 9), 10 points at Louisiana Tech (Feb. 14), 14 points against Long Beach State (Feb. 23), 13 points at Nevada (Feb. 28) 11 points at Fresno State (March 1) and 12 points versus San Jose State (March 6). His 14 points against Long Beach State was a game high in the O’Reilly ESPNU BracketBuster. In the WAC games, Pope ranked in the top 10 in two rebounding categories. He tied for seventh in rebounds per game (6.5) and fourth in defensive rebounds per game (4.75).

High School: Pope was named a fourth team Parade All-American. He averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds as a senior and he led Aliquippa High School to the Class AA PIAA State Championship game. Scout.com ranked Pope as the No. 17 high school senior and No. 6 power forward. Rivals.com rated him as the No. 23 player in the 2007 class and No. 6 at his position. He chose New Mexico State over basketball powerhouses, Texas, Maryland, Memphis, Pittsburgh and Oklahoma. Pope was also recruited by the likes of Louisville, Kansas State and Cincinnati. As a junior, Pope was named the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Boys Basketball Player of the Year and to the Trib’s Terrific Ten after averaging 18.3 points and 15 rebounds for Aliquippa High. He was also named a first team Associated Press All-State Class AA selection and was a McDonald’s All-America candidate.

Personal: Pope was born in Aliquippa, Pa., and his aunt, Amy Pope is his guardian. He is majoring in sports management.