The George Washington University’s most recognizable basketball player of the last four years, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks yesterday. Known for his thunderous dunks and an affable personality, “The Mayor” played in the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City summer leagues. Though he was not initially expected to make the Mavericks’ deep roster, Pops’ play impressed team president Donnie Nelson enough that he cited Pops as “the most athletic 4 [power forward] I saw this summer outside of Amare Stoudemire.”

The first year of Pops’ contract is guaranteed, which means that the London native should see the first NBA minutes of any former GW Colonial since 1998. Other Colonials are not faring as well in their quest to make the NBA. Danilo Pinnock has an outside chance of making the Lakers’ roster, but will most likely end up playing overseas with Pops’ classmates Mike Hall and Omar Williams.

AP Photo by Nick Wass

Filed Under: Amare Stoudemire, AP Photo, basketball, city, colleges, dallas, Dallas Mavericks, Danilo Pinnock, george washington, george washington university, Lake City, Lakers, las vegas, London, Mavericks, mayor, Mike Hall, nba, Nick Wass, Omar Williams, Pops Mensah, Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, sports, The George Washington University, The Mayor, university, vegas, washington, Washington University,