Jordan Pope’s next chapter keeps him in Texas, just on the other side of the Lone Star Showdown.
The former Texas guard transferred to Texas A&M on Monday, landing with the Aggies just before he won a temporary restraining order in his NCAA lawsuit filed in July. That case challenged the organization’s new eligibility model after it ruled out athletes who had already used their fourth season. Pope ended up being granted a fifth year of eligibility.
In his farewell message to Texas fans on Instagram, Pope said a return to Austin had been his preferred outcome.
“I’ve been exploring a return to college for the last couple of months due to the recent court rulings,” Pope said in the post. “I would have loved to go back to Texas, but because of the timing of these court cases and their roster being full, a return wasn’t possible.”
Pope spent his final two seasons with the Longhorns and was right in the middle of Texas’ Cinderella run last season, starting at point guard and averaging 13.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 29.1 minutes per game.
“My two years at UT have been some of the best of my life,” Pope said in the same post. “Through thick and thin you guys always had my back. UT is a special place and will always be home.”
Now he’ll be suiting up for an opponent he already knows well. Pope has faced Texas A&M six times in his college career, including games during his first two seasons at Oregon State and his two years at Texas.
Last season alone, he scored 17 points in both meetings with the Aggies. Texas A&M took the first one, 74-70, in Austin, before Texas answered with a 76-70 win in College Station.
Across all six matchups, Pope has averaged 13.2 points, three rebounds and 2.3 assists.
The timing worked out for the Aggies because Texas coach Sean Miller had already filled out his roster through the transfer portal and with true freshmen while Pope’s court situation and eligibility were still being sorted out. That opened the door for a team with a roster spot available, like Texas A&M, to move in.
Pope made sure to leave Texas on good terms.
“While I’ll be playing college basketball elsewhere next year, I’ll always consider myself a Longhorn. Hook ‘Em,” Pope said to close his message.
His return to Moody Center is coming soon enough. Texas A&M is scheduled to visit on either Feb. 16 or 17 once the schedule is finalized, and the two teams will meet again in College Station in the regular-season finale on March 6.
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