Kentucky's (Austin) Pope Takes Job with the Lakers

Minutes before the 2014 National Championship game, Kentucky fans feared their head coach was leaving Lexington to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a “done deal,” according to Rex Chapman.

A decade later, Mark Pope is fired up to lead the Wildcats into his second season with the program. Another Pope from Kentucky is joining the Lakers’ organization. This time, it actually is a done deal.

Austin Pope (no relation) was a graduate assistant during Mark Pope’s first season in Lexington. Next year, he’s returning to the West Coast as the head video coordinator for the South Bay Lakers, L.A.’s G League affiliate. The Burbank native couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join the team he grew up idolizing.

“It means everything,” Pope told SB Nation. “I was born a Laker. People say that all the time with their fandom and things, but it’s just unreal. I feel super grateful, man. My mom, when I was a baby in her stomach, I used to go to games at The Forum and as a young kid I would go to church at The Forum and go to games, followed Magic, Byron Scott and Michael Cooper. So for me, it’s a full-circle moment to work in the organization.

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“I played Burbank YMCA (when I was young) and had all these Junior Lakers jerseys and pictures, so just full circle working in the place that you kind of were born into and was in your backyard. And Kobe being my G.O.A.T. and my favorite (player), come on, man. I’m overjoyed.”

Austin Pope played junior college basketball, then concluded his career at Chaminade University. He spent two years coaching high school hoops before cracking into the college ranks last season at Kentucky. Pope received valuable experience in Lexington. Best of luck to him on the West Coast.

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

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