Before giving Hoyas Nation something to look forward to during this crisis with a preview of next year’s roster, I would like to thank the departing seniors for their contributions to the program one last time. George Muresan’s clutch free throws to ice the game at Capital One versus DePaul provided one of the season’s best moments. Omer Yurtseven gave the Hoyas a great replacement at the center position following Jessie Govan’s departure. Terrell Allen did all that was asked of him on both sides of the ball, playing almost every minute and truly embodying the junkyard dog mentality that Coach Ewing preaches. Jagan Mosely was the undisputed heart and soul of the team, playing with a grittiness, conviction, and unselfishness that simply cannot be taught. Georgetown games will not be the same without #4 always being in the perfect position to draw a charge and give the Hoyas an extra possession.
Now on to next year … starting with the status of Mac McClung. As everyone knows by now, Mac declared for the draft while maintaining his eligibility. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fact that he is recovering from an injury, it will likely be difficult for him to make a strong impression with teams before the draft. If he returns for his junior season, Mac has the ability to lead the Hoyas to the Dance for the first time since 2015. With Mosely graduating, somebody will have to step up and take on a vocal leadership role. Mac can be that guy. He is fearless on the court, wants to win more than anything, and has an outstanding work ethic.
Jalen Harris, just added as a grad transfer from Arkansas, will likely start at PG for Georgetown. He did not play much last season, but his numbers from 2018-2019 at Arkansas (7.6 ppg/5.6 apg/30.8 mpg) are quite similar to Terrell Allen’s numbers at UCF (6.7 ppg/4.3 apg/30.5 mpg). Harris is not known as much of a three-point shooter, but he can definitely improve. He plays at a very fast pace with a lot of energy and manages to not turn it over much. Harris will be a great teammate and a mentor for the incoming freshmen, Tyler Beard and Dante Harris, as well as walk-on Chuma Azinge.
Beard, a Chicago kid from Whitney Young HS, is only a three star prospect according to 247 Sports, but he is highly underrated. He is very confident and is a dual threat both as a scorer and as a passer. One of his highlight reel dunks even made SportsCenter.
Evan Daniels of 247 Sports also praised Beard as being a very good defender. Beard will not back down from a challenge, and he could become the starter midseason. Dante Harris is a product of Lakeway Christian HS (TN). Do not let his size (5’10”) fool you, this guy can play. He is very quick and shows a ton of heart, something that fans will no doubt come to love. The Hoyas’ future is bright at the PG position.
The 2 and 3 positions for the Hoyas are more of a question mark. If Mac returns, he would start at the 2 and can also play the point. Jahvon Blair made the most of his increased playing time down the stretch, and if he can become a little more consistent from three, he could be in for a big senior season. Jaden Robinson filled in admirably for the Hoyas as a walk-on, providing solid minutes when the team so desperately needed them. Georgetown also has incoming freshmen Kobe Clark (6’6’’) and Jamari Sibley (6’8’’). Clark hails from Vashon HS in St. Louis.
Sibley, out of Oak Hill Academy, is Georgetown’s highest rated incoming recruit (92nd overall per 247 Sports). Both guys are versatile with reputations as good defenders. Their offensive games may be a bit raw, but they should be able to contribute coming off the bench and maybe earn a starting role eventually.
Jamorko Pickett should be penciled in at the 4. Pickett has shown flashes of excellence over his college career. The potential for dominance is there, as he did score double figures in the final eight games of the season, including a 20-point outburst vs. Villanova. If Pickett can put together a senior campaign more reminiscent of his freshman year, he could possibly play his way into the NBA Draft conversation.
At the 5, Yurtseven has not officially declared for the draft yet, but he is unlikely to return. The Hoyas are set to have Qudus Wahab, Timothy Ighoefe, and Malcolm Wilson. Wahab put together an outstanding freshman season and was a beast defensively. He will only continue to grow his sophomore year as the starter. While still a raw talent, Ighoefe gave the Hoyas solid minutes when Yurtseven was hurt. If he can play the role on next year’s team that Wahab played this year, then the Hoyas are in business. Wilson redshirted this past season, but he was still a three star recruit out of high school (247 Sports) and has good rebounding and blocking ability. Wilson should be able to contribute next season.
The Hoyas have at least one remaining scholarship and possibly three. Here are some of the staff’s targets:
Brandon Murray: Murray (6’5’’, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) is ranked as a three star SG by Rivals, but he could be a hidden gem. Though previous reports indicated Murray would announce on April 25th, it now looks like he will make his decision tomorrow, April 13th.
Georgetown will be competing with Georgia, URI, East Tennessee State, and DePaul. The Hoyas could use some shooters on the roster, and Murray fits that bill.
Kerwin Walton: Walton (6’5’’ SG, Hopkins, MN) is a four star recruit ranked 97th nationally according to 247 Sports. He just completed a virtual visit with the Hoyas and has them in his final six along with Creighton, UNC, Arizona, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt. Walton will also decide April 25th. He is an excellent three-point shooter and plus defender.
Rapolas Ivanauskas: Ivanauskas (6’10’’) is a graduate transfer with immediate eligibility. He transferred from Northwestern to Colgate for his junior season where he averaged 13.1 points and 7.6 boards. He is capable of playing the 4 and the 5 and can shoot it from beyond the arc. Coach Ewing is one of the only head coaches who have personally reached out to Ivanauskas thus far, so hopefully this is a good sign.
Landers Nolley II: Nolley (6’7’’ SF/SG) is the best transfer available after announcing he would leave Virginia Tech. He can do it all (15.5 ppg/5.8 rpg/2.3 apg). The Hoyas made his final eleven teams, and he will likely cut his list down even further with no decision date planned yet. At this point, Nolley would likely have to sit a year, but the NCAA will vote on May 20th to determine whether to approve a one-time waiver. Coach Ewing and the staff have been in contact with Nolley from the get-go, so things look promising.
Gabe Watson: Watson (6’2’’ SG) is a transfer from Southern Miss who would also need to sit a year. His numbers last season were solid (13.0 ppg/3.6 rpg/3.4 apg) and he shot 40% from the field, but he is likely only a realistic option for the Hoyas if Mac does not return.
Justin Kier: Kier (6’4’’ G) is a George Mason grad transfer who would be immediately eligible. He missed most of last season with a foot injury, but his 2018-2019 numbers were terrific (14.5 ppg/6.5 rpg/37.1 3P%). Georgetown is competing with the likes of Butler, Arkansas, and others for Kier, but he would provide much needed offensive firepower for the team.
Moussa Cisse: Cisse (6’10’’ PF/C), per 247 Sports, is a consensus five star recruit who is a great defender with a lot of energy. He may reclassify to 2020. The Hoyas just made his top 10, but there is tough competition with Kentucky, LSU, and others. Georgetown already has three centers, but Cisse would be a welcome addition to the roster.
Georgetown already has a deep, talented, and tight-knit recruiting class coming in. If they can land at least one of Murray/Walton, and persuade Nolley to come to DC, Coach Ewing and the junkyard dogs should be in a position to go dancing next March. Fingers crossed that Mac returns, Pickett breaks out, and Wahab cements himself as the best big man in the Big East. Dare to dream. Thanks for reading, and Hoya Saxa!
