Mark Edward Pope born September 11, 1972 is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team. As a player, Pope played both power forward and small forward positions. He began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, where he was named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1992 after setting a freshman record with 8.1 rebounds per game. After two seasons with the Huskies, he transferred to the University of Kentucky. Pope sat out the 1993–94 season due to NCAA transfer regulations, then played for the Wildcats for two more years.
Mark Pope Biography 2024
He was a key contributor to Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA national championship team and served as a team captain, averaging 7.6 points in 20.3 minutes per game. Pope also helped Kentucky win two SEC titles during his time with the program. After college, Pope was selected in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He played six seasons in the NBA, also spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets before retiring in 2005. Pope transitioned to coaching after his playing career, with various roles in college basketball. Prior to taking the head coach position at Kentucky, he served as head coach for the BYU Cougars in the Big 12 Conference.
Mark Pope Biography Details
| Born | September 11, 1972 (age 52)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
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| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
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| High school | Newport (Bellevue, Washington) |
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| College | - Washington (1991–1993)
- Kentucky (1994–1996)
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| NBA draft | 1996: 2nd round, 52nd overall pick |
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Mark Pope Early Life
Mark Edward Pope born September 11, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska is an American professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team. Standing 2.08 meters tall and weighing 235 pounds, Pope played both power forward and small forward during his playing career. He attended Newport High School in Bellevue, Washington, before playing college basketball at the University of Washington from 1991 to 1993, where he earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors. Pope then transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he was a key contributor to the Wildcats’ 1996 NCAA national championship team. Following his playing career, Pope transitioned into coaching and, prior to his current role at Kentucky, was the head coach at BYU. He is married to Lee Anne.
Mark Pope Bio
Information | Details |
Full Name | Mark Edward Pope |
Born | September 11, 1972 |
Birthplace | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
Spouse | Lee Anne |
College | Washington (1991–1993), Kentucky (1994–1996) |
High School | Newport (Bellevue, Washington) |
Religion | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Mark Pope Playing Career
Time Period | Team | Position |
1996–1997 | Anadolu Efes S.K. | Power Forward |
1997–1999 | Indiana Pacers | Small Forward |
1999 | La Crosse Bobcats | Power Forward |
1999–2000 | Ülkerspor | Small Forward |
2000–2002 | Milwaukee Bucks | Power Forward |
2002–2003 | New York Knicks | Small Forward |
2003–2005 | Denver Nuggets | Power Forward |
Mark Pope NBA Career Stats
Category | Total |
Games Played (GP) | 153 |
Games Started (GS) | 57 |
Minutes per Game (MPG) | 10.7 |
Field Goal Percentage (FG%) | 40.1% |
3-Point Percentage (3P%) | 17.9% |
Free Throw Percentage (FT%) | 57.3% |
Rebounds per Game (RPG) | 1.7 |
Assists per Game (APG) | 0.4 |
Points per Game (PPG) | 1.9 |
Mark Pope Coaching Career Timeline
Year | Team | Position |
2009–2010 | University of Georgia | Director of Basketball Operations |
2010–2011 | Wake Forest University | Assistant Coach |
2011–2015 | Brigham Young University | Assistant Coach |
2015–2019 | Utah Valley University | Head Coach |
2019–2024 | Brigham Young University | Head Coach |
2024–Present | University of Kentucky | Head Coach |
Mark Pope Coaching Success at Utah Valley
Year | Record | Postseason Achievement |
2015–16 | 12–18 | N/A |
2016–17 | 17–17 | CBI Semifinals |
2017–18 | 23–11 | CBI Quarterfinals |
2018–19 | 25–10 | CBI Quarterfinals |
Mark Pope First Year at BYU
Year | Record | Conference Finish | NCAA Tournament | Other Highlights |
2019–20 | 24–8 | 2nd in WCC | Not held | Ranked No. 23 in AP Poll |
Mark Pope Head Coaching Record at BYU
Year | Record | Conference Record | Postseason |
2019–20 | 24–8 | 13–3 | No postseason |
2020–21 | 20–7 | 10–3 | NCAA Round of 64 |
2021–22 | 24–11 | 9–6 | NIT Quarterfinals |
2022–23 | 19–15 | 7–9 | No postseason |
Mark Pope First Season at Kentucky
Year | Record | Conference Record | Postseason |
2024–25 | 3–0 | 0–0 | N/A |
Mark Pope College Career Statistics
Category | Statistics |
Total Points | 285 |
Total Assists | 63 |
Total Rebounds | 261 |
Mark Pope NCAA National Championship (1996)
Achievement | Details |
NCAA Title | Kentucky Wildcats (1996) |
Team Captain | Yes |
Points per Game (PPG) | 7.6 |
Minutes per Game (MPG) | 20.3 |
Mark Pope Coaching Highlights at BYU
Achievement | Details |
First Year Record | 24–8 |
Top 25 Finish | Ranked as high as No. 14 |
Signature Win | Defeated No. 2 Gonzaga |
NCAA Tournament Status | Projected bid before COVID-19 |
Mark Pope Influence on BYU’s Basketball Program
Metric | Impact |
Wins per Season | 20+ for 4 seasons |
Postseason Appearances | 4 straight NCAA bids |
Conference Titles | 2nd in WCC (2019–2020) |
Mark Pope Coaching Strategy
Focus Area | Description |
Offensive Efficiency | Top 5 in multiple national categories |
Defensive Approach | Aggressive, team-oriented defense |
Mark Pope Career Milestones
Milestone | Date |
Pac-10 Freshman of the Year | 1992 |
NCAA National Champion | 1996 |
Fastest 60 Wins at BYU | January 2022 |
Mark Pope Personal Life
Personal Detail | Information |
Spouse | Lee Anne |
Children | Four daughters |
Father-in-law | Lynn Archibald, former Utah coach |
Mark Pope Net Worth
Mark Pope an estimates net worth $27.5 million.
Mark Pope Summary
Mark Pope has established himself as a formidable force in collegiate basketball, both as a player and coach. His journey from a pivotal player on Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA championship team to a successful coach at BYU and Utah Valley highlights his deep understanding of the game and his ability to build winning programs. Now at the helm of the Kentucky Wildcats, Pope is expected to continue his legacy of excellence in one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country.
