National Signing Day brought about not just new players and increased talent, but also hope that Georgetown basketball is finally headed in the right direction. With four high caliber players signing their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, Hoya fans have much to be excited about.
Tyler Beard, who reclassified because of the uncertainty of this season, is a 6’2 point guard. Although he is originally from Chicago, Beard is attending Hargrave Military Academy for his postgraduate year. He is a 3-star recruit and was once featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 for one of his electrifying dunks where he leaped over an opposing player.
Beard is an explosive and well-rounded player who has the potential to be a leader on the floor for the Hoyas.
Jalin Billingsley is a 6’7 power forward, ranked 34th at his position in the class of 2021. A Cleveland native, Billingsley is a versatile stretch four. He has the ability to create offense from the wing and facilitate for others, while also having the size/strength/bounce to protect the rim, finish contested shots in the paint, and grab any boards within range.
Jordan Riley is a 4-star shooting guard who chose Georgetown over St. John’s, UConn, Florida State, and Kansas. He is from Brentwood, New York and many consider him to be an “old school” type of Big East player. At 6’4, Riley thrives in the open floor and attacks the rim with reckless abandon. His YouTube highlights are filled with rim-rattling dunks and impressive displays of athleticism in transition. It is this same athleticism that gives him the potential to develop into something special with the help of Coach Ewing and his staff. Riley rightfully provides a lot of excitement for Hoya fans.
Last, but certainly not least, Ryan Mutombo, son of Dikembe Mutombo, will follow in his father’s footsteps by signing with Georgetown. As one of the few ESPN top 100 recruits Georgetown has gotten in the last several years, he was the perfect addition to Ewing’s strongest recruiting class yet. Standing at 6’11”, Mutombo is the 15th-ranked center in the country according to ESPN. Last season at Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia, he averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks per game. Mutombo’s commitment means the sons of the three Hall of Fame centers who played at Georgetown in the 1980s and 1990s — Ewing, Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning — will all have played for the Hoyas in college.
These four signings, along with other 5-star recruits that Ewing is pursuing, could become the team that helps Georgetown basketball restore its legacy. Despite the struggles of the last few years and the doubts about this season, this is something for Hoya fans to look forward to. Less than a year until we get to see this team in action.
