The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly acquired undrafted free agent and San Diego State star Malik Pope, whom they also hosted for a workout prior to the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers are about to compete in the inaugural edition of the California Classic Summer League. In addition to the Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and the Sacramento Kings are all going to be taking part. The games will be held in the Kings’ home court, Golden 1 Center, beginning on July 2.
With the three-day tournament (July 2, 3, 5) set to transpire in less than a week, the Lakers are in the final phase of completing its summer league roster.
It appears that the team has added former San Diego State standout Malik Pope to its lineup as was reported by ABC’s Sean Cunningham.
"“The 21-year-old Pope, who is a Sacramento native that received national attention while attending Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, will join the summer league roster of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to two sources,” wrote Cunningham in his report. “Those people spoke to ABC10 on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly since it had not yet been announced by the team,” he added."
Pope had a pretty solid season as a senior at San Diego State. The 6’10” forward averaged 12.8 points (36 percent on 3-pointers, 52 percent overall), 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 32 games. He also earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors.
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Despite of that, though, he didn’t hear his name being called to the stage during the 2018 NBA Draft last week. Nonetheless, Pope brings a lot to the table that the Lakers can utilize in their upcoming games this month.
The San Diego State all-time scoring leader fits the mold of an NBA modern big man. He is capable of hitting 3-point shots, handles the ball like a guard, runs the floor often, is athletic, rim protector, while still having his post moves with him.
Pope will join fellow undrafted players in Joel Barry II, Malik Newman, and Jeffrey Carroll in this year’s Lakers summer league roster that already has the team’s first-round pick in Moritz Wagner and second-round picks in Isaac Bonga and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. Sophomores Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant are also in the lineup.
After competing in the California Summer League, the Lakers will head to Las Vegas as the team tries to defend its NBA Summer League title last year.
Next: Complete 2018 NBA Draft First Round Grades
For the first time ever, every NBA team is set to join in the tournament which will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.