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Malik Pope makes a wise decision to return to San Diego State

Malik Pope makes a wise decision to return to San Diego State

In his first two seasons at San Diego State, Malik Pope has displayed sporadic flashes of immense skill and talent.

The 6-foot-10 junior-to-be is returning to the Aztecs in hopes of showing NBA scouts he can make a more consistent impact.

Pope announced Monday night that he has withdrawn from the NBA draft after entering last month without hiring an agent. He was not invited to the NBA's draft combine, but he reportedly did work out for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz.

Credit Pope for making a wise decision because it once no doubt wasn't in his plans to be in college for more than two years. He is the most highly touted prospect San Diego State has landed under Steve Fisher, however, a series of leg injuries late in his high school career prevented him from making a smooth transition to the college level.

Pope made his San Diego State debut in January of his freshman year and showcased a smooth 3-point shot for a man his size, sinking 40.8 percent of his attempts from behind the arc. His anticipated transition from role player to star took longer than expected as a sophomore, but he did average 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists during San Diego State's final 13 games of the season.

What intrigues NBA scouts about Pope is his skill for a player with his size, length and physical tools. He can knock down outside shots, create for himself or a teammate off the dribble or finish above the rim on a fast break, but he needs to get stronger and — above all else — more consistent to merit being more than a second-round flier next spring.

Pope's return makes San Diego State a clear favorite to repeat as Mountain West champs and a contender for preseason Top 25 polls. The Aztecs return five of their top six scorers from a 28-win team that floundered in non-league play, righted itself against Mountain West competition and responded to an NCAA tournament snub by making the NIT semifinals.

San Diego State will return starting backcourt Jeremy Helmsley and Trey Kell along with Pope and promising forward Zylan Cheatham. The Aztecs will also benefit from the arrival of shot-blocking Washington State transfer Valentine Izundu as well as former top 50 recruit Montaque "Teki" Gill-Caesar and ex-Indiana sharpshooter Max Hoetzel.

Pope may have more natural ability than anyone in that group. Next season will be his latest chance to fully tap into that and lead San Diego State back to the NCAA tournament.

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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!