Remember last year when Herb Pope was apparently going to transfer to a prep school in Florida? Apparently it may be happening again, or the coach of that prep school is repeating himself.

Morgan’s team also has another, more highly regarded prospect in forward Herb Pope. Louisville, Pittsburgh, UConn and Kansas State are on his list.

Pope’s potential caused Morgan to make a telling slip of the tongue. “No question he has the tools to be on the next level,” the coach said before adding with a chuckle, “I mean the next next level.”

Now here’s where it gets interesting. No one knows again. Including his AAU Coach J.O. Stright.

The question of where Pope will spend his senior year should be answered soon, as school begins at Aliquippa today.

Aliquippa basketball coach Marvin Emerson was uncertain of Pope’s enrollment status, as was athletic director Mike Zmijanac.

“I honestly have no clue,” Zmijanac said. “I guess we’ll know by Wednesday.”

Pope’s AAU coach, J.O. Stright, said he has not seen or heard from Pope since sending him home from a tournament in Orlando after an on-court altercation.

“I know he looked at going there (Country Day) last year but didn’t pull the trigger,” Stright said. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if he has (transferred).”

Rex Morgan also has plenty of close ties to Bob Huggins. Taking Stright at his word for the moment (and considering his willingness to flak for Pope and other players in the past, I’m actually willing to), it seems Pope has a little more independence from Stright and is still immature enough to not like being disciplined.
Regardless of his talent I think most Pitt fans are hoping to avoid this potential headache.