Pops Returns to DC to Play Wizards

Sports — By Jordan Teller on December 5, 2009 at 1:34 am

(All Photos by Jordan Teller, Daily Colonial Basketball Photographer

Below is a transcript of excerpts from my pre-game interview with Pops Mensah-Bonsu of the Toronto Raptors, also a GW alum and Colonial Basketball standout (2002-2006):

Jordan Teller: What is it like being back in DC?

Pops Mensah-Bonsu: It is always good to come back to a place I can relate to as home.  I have a lot of history here…a lot of things, a lot of good things happened to me here.  I’m coming back to DC and especially playing in the NBA, I’m overjoyed every time I come through here.

JT: You missed the GW-George Mason game by just a couple days, but I’m sure you heard all about it.  How do you feel about the renewal of that rivalry?

PMB: Well I never got to experience that, so I’m not sure…but I’m just happy that Coach Hobbs has the guys playing well again.  I heard they had a tough loss against Oregon State, but they are showing some signs of life.  I spoke to him yesterday, and he told me [the freshmen] have remnants of when I used to play here, so that’s good.  That means in a couple years they are going to be really good.  I missed the game by a day, but I definitely wanted to get in and come check them out, especially in the new arena and all that.  But I’m going to keep following them and hopefully one day get to a game.

JT: They got to play for the President the other day, something unfortunately you didn’t get to do at GW.  What do you think it would be like to play in front of the President and his family?

PMB: Man, it would be a big honor.  Actually, people don’t even know that I wear number 44 because of Barack Obama, since he is our 44th President.  Just everything he has done has given me a reason to wear that number…it definitely would have been an emotional day if I got to play for him and meet him too.

JT:  I guess you can be considered an NBA journeyman now, you have been on a couple of teams (the Mavs, Spurs, Raptors) - What is it like to practice with players like Chris Bosh, Dirk Novitzki, Tim Duncan, etc. everyday? Do you learn a lot from them?

PMB: I have gotten to play with a lot of great players, so I take a little bit from each one and kind of put it together.  I have played on a number of different NBA teams and I am definitely an NBA player, so you know it’s just…I just look at it with a grain of salt.  I’m glad to be here, but it’s my job now so I don’t really get too excited about it

JT: Do you still keep in touch with any of the guys you played with at GW?

PMB: Ya, ya, ya.  You know Mike (Hall) was my college roommate for 3 years.  We definitely stay in contact.  And you know, J.R. (Pinnock) and Carl (Elliott) and T.J. (Thompson), I speak to them every once in awhile.  I definitely keep up with some of the coaches, especially the assistants, because I was closer with them during my time.  As much as I can I try and keep those ties together.

Tags: alumni, men's basketball, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Toronto Raptors