Big East Basketball: Top 50 players from the legendary 2010-11 season

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: The Connecticut Huskies react after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by a score of 53-41 at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 06: Herb Pope /

24. JR Herb Pope – Height: 6’8 – Weight: 236 – Seton Hall

2010-11 stats: 9.8 ppg 7.9 rpg 1.5 apg 1.3 bpg

Pope will go down as one of the most tragic downfalls in recent memory. Before this season even started, there were multiple times where his life could’ve ended, including a heart condition that nearly killed him before the season began.

His on the court play for the year was based on availability. He was one of the top defenders and rebounders in the league but was plagued with constant foul trouble. His aggressiveness cost him in how physical and emotional he was on the court. There were eight games where Pope fouled out, with another eight with foul total fouls.

But when he was able to stay on the court, the undeniable talent emerged. In a win over Providence, Pope accumulated 23 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. In another game, the junior had 14 points and 20 boards (10 off) in a loss to Pitt.

What happened next?

Pope shined his senior year, averaging a double-double for the season with 15.1 ppg and 10.4 rpg while avoiding foul trouble. Unfortunately for the young man, that turned out to be the high point of his life, as Pope has been arrested for various offenses, with the most recent involving robbing a bank in Pennsylvania.

He has recently pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

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