Mark Pope Discusses Recruiting, Jake Toolson, Nick Emery’s Status

PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball head coach Mark Pope had a media availability session to discuss the summer ahead and how life as the new head coach of BYU hoops has gone for him thus far since he was hired back in April.

One of the top storylines was the recent addition of Utah Valley graduate transfer Jake Toolson. Toolson was officially announced by the school two weeks ago and is in the middle of preparations for his final collegiate season now with BYU. Pope has high expectations for the sharp-shooting WAC Player of the Year.

“I’m so excited about him. First and foremost, I’m grateful I get the chance to coach him for another year. It’s a gift to be able to coach a guy who has grown as much as he has and turned into the person he is. It’s really easy for him now to jump in and take a leadership role and he’s accustomed to that, it’s been his comfort zone for the last couple of years. The guys have been incredibly accepting. I think they’re grateful that he’s here. I think this team right now is grateful for players. So I think everyone is excited that he’s here and he’s excited to be here,” said Pope.

BYU has made it official, Jake Toolson is returning to the program after finding stardom at UVU. https://t.co/wm7TvTtlZI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 24, 2019

Toolson’s addition to the BYU Basketball program comes at a time where the Cougars have struggled shooting from beyond the arc. Last season, in a year where he was the best player in the WAC, Toolson was 45-percent from beyond the arc and knocked down 60-percent of his attempts from inside the two-point area.

Recruiting For 2019-20 Roster Is Ongoing

With the advent of the transfer portal, college basketball recruiting never takes a break and Mark Pope expressed as much on Tuesday when asked how close he is to finalizing his roster for the 2019-20 season.

“We’re still actively recruiting, even for 2019, in different ways. What’s interesting is that I think these dynamic rosters, this is a little bit of a new era that’s growing every summer and I think these rosters will stay pretty dynamic probably through August in all honesty. I think we’re pretty close. I actually had a conversation with a young man today who was interested in where he would fit on the roster. But I think the heart of the team is where it’s going to be,” said Pope.

Pope’s staff is currently open to adding a scholarship player or a preferred walk-on. Right now, BYU has its full allotment of 13 scholarship players in the fold. Last year, BYU was down one scholarship due to NCAA sanctions, this year, they are back up to the full 13. 

The Cougars are turning over every stone they can on the recruiting trail with Pope in charge. Pope recently visited Africa to make a 90-minute in-home visit to Wasatch Academy’s Maddy Sissoko and family and then assistant coach Nick Robinson made a trip to Australia. That net is being cast wide.

One player that’s status remains undetermined at this point is guard Colby Leifson.  Leifson, who was a scholarship player two years ago for Dave Rose as he delayed a mission to help Rose and staff in a numbers shortage, comes back this summer. He could be a walk-on on next year’s roster if there’s a spot for him.

Nick Emery’s Status

The journey of Nick Emery at BYU has been one with many twists and turns since his days as one of the nation’s top recruits out of Lone Peak High School.

Work starts now … 🙏🏼 we are all bought in and know it will be a great year. https://t.co/LQ2Jo0fRkF

— Nick Emery (@04NickEmery) May 30, 2019

Pope was asked about the status of Nick Emery and Pope was very honest about Nick heading into his final season for the Cougars.

“The first time into the locker room, most of the guys were looking at me pretty sideways. And we were really honest with each other. I think I’ve told you guys this. I told them, you’re in the unfortunate position of not having chosen the coach that’s here now. You didn’t choose to come here and play for me. So we have to figure this out together and for the guys that want to stay, come stay and we’re going to do something extraordinary. For the guys that don’t want to come to play for me at BYU, then let me find you somewhere where you can go. I think Nick would tell you he was looking at me really sideways,” said Pope.

Pope continued, “You’d have to ask him, but I think we’re in a really good spot right now. I think he’s got a renewed focus. I think the seniors have extraordinary things inside them, that are founded on the struggles that you go through over a four-year career. The ups and the downs and the sideways and all around. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen seniors rise up and do spectacular things in really big moments. And that’s my expectation for Nick and I think that’s what he expects from himself. And I just can’t wait to see it.”

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of Cougar Tracks and Cougar Sports Saturday (12 pm-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.