Mark Pope Doesn’t Sugarcoat It: Bad Shooting Form Is a Dealbreaker
When it comes to recruiting, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is brutally honest — especially about what turns him off a prospect.
Speaking to campers recently, the second-year head coach made one thing clear: no matter how athletic or productive a player is, if they have broken shooting mechanics, he’s not interested.
“I won’t touch him,” Pope said. “I just don’t have time to teach shooting at this level.”
It may sound harsh, but it’s a matter of basketball math. By the time players reach college, Pope estimates they’ve repeated their shooting form over 100,000 times. At that point, fixing it isn’t just difficult — it’s nearly impossible within the limited development time coaches have in college.
Importantly, Pope isn’t concerned with whether a player is making shots — he’s focused on how they shoot. If the mechanics are clean and repeatable, he’s willing to be patient with the results. But sloppy form? That’s a non-starter.
He also values discipline. As an example, he pointed out players who take a shot and immediately turn to run back on defense. For Pope, that’s a red flag.
“If you’re running away from your shot before it hits the rim,” he said, “you’re subconsciously running away from it.”
What he wants are players who stay with their shot, follow through, and trust their form — because at the college level, there’s no time to rebuild it from scratch.
Mark Pope Has a Simple Rule: If You Can’t Shoot Right, You’re Out
Watch the clip of Jaylen Wells — his follow-through stays up until the ball drops. That’s exactly what Mark Pope wants to see.
To Pope, that kind of discipline isn’t just about mechanics; it’s a window into a player’s mindset. When a shooter runs back before the ball even hits the rim, it tells him everything he needs to know about their confidence — and it’s not good. Body language speaks volumes, and for Pope, that early retreat is a red flag.
Even elite athletes won’t get a second look if their jumper is off-script. While some coaches are willing to gamble on physical tools or raw potential, Pope is betting on shooting form — and the mentality behind it.
In today’s game, where floor spacing and shooting are non-negotiables, Pope’s system doesn’t have room for broken mechanics. It’s not about stats, athleticism, or highlight reels — it’s about repeatable form and a shooter’s belief in their own shot.
So no matter how many points a recruit scores, if they can’t shoot the right way — they’re out
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