After last year’s mass exodus, Coach Patrick Ewing and the Hoyas have revamped their roster to include ten newcomers. Brandon Murray and the rest of the team’s fourth ranked transfer class are hoping to make the program competitive again in the Big East. Let’s take a look at what to expect from each newcomer joining the team.
Brandon Murray, Guard
Sophomore Brandon Murray brings explosiveness, playmaking, and NCAA Tournament experience to the Hoyas. The LSU transfer had a good freshman year, averaging 10 points per game, but he seems poised to make a sophomore year jump in a new role as his team’s number one option and leading scorer. During Kenner League, he was a step quicker than everyone else on the court. He had no trouble getting to the basket and showed off his athleticism with some highlight dunks in transition. If you aren’t sold yet, his elite defense might be his biggest addition to the team. His ball pressure and ability to create steals should be a big boost to the Hoya’s suspect perimeter defense from last year. With reports circulating that he was dominant in the preseason scrimmage against Temple, everything is pointing towards a breakout year for Brandon Murray.
Primo Spears, Guard
With the absence of Dante Harris, sophomore Primo Spears is the most likely candidate to begin the season as the Hoya’s starting point guard. As a freshman, Spears was thrust into the role of starting point guard on a Duquesne team that found themselves at the bottom of the Atlantic 10 Conference. He responded by leading the team with 12.7 points and 3 assists per game, giving him valuable experience leading an offense in a very competitive conference. As a bonus, he has built a strong relationship with Brandon Murray, which was a big reason why Primo chose to transfer to Georgetown. The two had great chemistry while playing together during Kenner League as Primo knew where to go with the ball and was comfortable controlling the offense with Murray on the floor. Now that he has more weapons around him, Primo should be able to continue to develop his ability to get others involved on offense. He is a much needed addition that will be the floor general for the Hoyas this year.
Jay Heath, Guard
Jay Heath might be the most underrated acquisition by the Hoyas. My parents happen to be graduates of both Boston College and Arizona State, so I’ve been watching him slice through defenses for years. He is a savvy player who can run the offense and space the floor with his three point shooting (43% from three last year). During Kenner League I was surprised by how low to the ground he got while dribbling, which made it very difficult for defenders to keep track of where he was going. He would be a great sixth man for this team, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually ends up starting alongside Spears and Murray because I believe he is one the Hoya’s five best players. Unfortunately, the NCAA has not decided whether to grant his waiver request yet, so we will have to wait to see if he will be immediately eligible.
Qudus Wahab, Center
Welcome back, Qudus! After a one year stint in College Park, Wahab has returned to the Hilltop. The center position was one of the Hoya’s biggest weaknesses last year, so Coach Patrick Ewing has to be ecstatic that he was able to convince his former player to return. Wahab is a towering, physical presence who should be able to hold his own against all of the Big East’s talented centers. He played a huge role during the Big East Championship run two years ago, so he knows what it takes to be successful in this conference. While Brandon Murray might be our flashiest player, Wahab is arguably the most valuable because of his ability to anchor the defense and lead the team in rebounding. I expect him to outperform his season averages for the Hoyas two years ago (12.7 ppg and 8.2 rpg) after having a down year at Maryland.
Akok Akok, Forward
Akok Akok is one of the most versatile players on the roster. At 6 ’10, he is a great shot blocker who can grab offensive rebounds and finish at the rim, but the most exciting aspect to his game is his ability to stretch the floor and knock down three pointers. He should be a matchup problem for most players he faces, simply because of his capability to play inside and out. The transfer from UConn didn’t get the chance to play very much the last couple years due to injuries, but if he stays healthy this year, he will be an essential piece on the team. Akok is expected to start at power forward, making Wahab and him an intimidating frontcourt for opposing defenses.
Denver Anglin, Guard
Denver Anglin is a four-star freshman out of New Jersey with a sweet stroke from beyond the arc. With the uncertainty surrounding the status of guards Dante Harris and Jay Heath, Anglin could be thrust into a much larger role than expected to start the season. In high school, Anglin scored in bunches and needed almost no space to get his shot up. He also plays with a high motor and gives plenty of effort on the defensive side of the ball. He is skilled enough to make an immediate impact on the team, so hopefully he can make a smooth transition to the Big East ranks. Anglin’s presence should help fill the void left by Don Carey in terms of shooting and his youth brings a fresh presence to the locker room.
Bryson Mozone, Forward
Bryson Mozone is a graduate transfer from USC Upstate who can score in a variety of ways. His film consists of him shooting deep threes, finishing at the rim, and backing defenders down into fadeaway jump shots. He averaged 15.8 points per game last year and has never shot less than 37% from beyond the arc over his four year career. While I have yet to see his defense in person, he is known for taking a lot of charges and playing with a high energy level, which is always a good sign. His experience and shooting could make him a key part of the rotation.
Bradley Ezewiro, Forward/Center
Bradley Ezewiro transferred alongside Brandon Murray from LSU. After playing limited minutes during his freshman season, expectations were low coming to Georgetown. But, he surprised with an outstanding Kenner League, dominating opponents with his physicality and helping his team make the championship game. He was even selected to the First Team All Kenner League. While he specializes in throwing down ferocious dunks in the paint, his jump shot looks pretty smooth and he may be able to space the floor for the Hoyas, as well.
Wayne Bristol Jr., Guard
Wayne Bristol Jr. joined the team in the middle of the season last year after transferring from Howard. He had a great freshman year, earning the MEAC Rookie of the Year award in the 2019-20 season, but he has not played at all over the last two seasons due to injuries and eligibility issues. He has been practicing with the team for almost a full year now, which should give him a head start over the other newcomers despite the roster turnover. Because of his extended time away from the court and some shaky performances during Kenner League, it is difficult to predict what his role on the team will be until we can see him in live action again.
D’Ante Bass, Forward
D’Ante Bass is a three-star recruit out of Georgia who joins Denver Anglin as the other freshman in the class of 2022. He is a great athlete who can jump out of the gym to create highlight dunks and blocks, possibly rivaling Jordan Riley for the best hops on the team. Because of this, Bass is one of the players I’m excited to see live in Capital One Arena this year. It may be tough for him to find minutes early in the season due to the experience the Hoya’s have at his position, but depending on his development, it’s certainly possible for him to carve out a spot in the rotation later in the year.
The Hoyas are going to begin the season with a completely different starting lineup than last year, so I think there will be some growing pains early on as each player figures out their role. But, the Hoya’s talent level has certainly improved, and many of the newcomers have unique skill sets that will be fun to watch. Luckily, the season begins on Tuesday against Coppin State, so we will be able to see for ourselves how new and improved Hoyas look.
