Jamorko Pickett, Hometown Hero

The first four years of Patrick Ewing’s tenure have been filled with plenty of roster turnover and general uncertainty. But through it all, one thing has remained the same: the consistent presence of Jamorko Pickett.

Since arriving at Georgetown, Pickett has been a stalwart in the Hoyas’ lineup, starting 103 career games. It’s been a career filled with highs and lows. 

A DC native and a freak athlete, Pickett faced unrealistically high expectations from the day he set foot on the Hilltop. As a result, some will look back on Pickett’s career as a question of what could have been. But that’s not the Jamorko Pickett I’ll remember.

I’ll remember the Pickett who chose to stay close to home and anchor Patrick Ewing’s first recruiting class. A consensus 4-star recruit, Pickett’s commitment represented the first major recruiting win of Ewing’s tenure. Upon his arrival, Pickett was immediately turned to as a major contributor, and he took advantage. Following a stellar freshman campaign, Pickett was unanimously selected to the Big East All-Freshman team in 2018.

I’ll remember the Pickett who drained a huge three pointer in the Hoyas’ season-defining victory over Marquette in 2019.

I’ll remember the Pickett who never stopped adding elements to his game. During his time on the Hilltop, Pickett became a far more versatile player, upping his physicality on the boards and on defense. Each season, his rebounds per game increased, up from 3.7 his freshman year to 8.0 this season, good for fifth in the Big East. “From scoring the ball to blocking shots to rebounding, I try to do whatever is needed to win,” said Pickett following last week’s win over Xavier. “I’ve always been that type of player.” In his career, Pickett has posted seven double-doubles, including a 19-point, 18-rebound game against Coppin State in December 2020.

I’ll remember the Pickett who didn’t shy away from competing for playing time when Ewing recruited over him and brought in two new wings prior to the 2019-2020 season. Pickett rose to the challenge, won the starting job, and has started every game since.

I’ll remember the Pickett who picked up the slack when his team needed him. When Georgetown was decimated by transfers towards the end of the 2019-2020 season, Pickett stepped up and played his best basketball, scoring in double figures in each of the Hoyas’ final eight games of the season while often playing close to the full 40 minutes.

I’ll remember the Pickett who became the 49th Hoya to score 1,000 career points. Fittingly, Pickett and fellow senior Jahvon Blair both eclipsed the century mark in the same game, a win over Butler on Feb. 13th. “I’m happy for them,” said Ewing after the game. “They’ve withstood the test of time. They had great freshman years … stepped up, had a very good junior year and this year.”

I’ll remember the Pickett who shook off a slump to lead the Hoyas’ late-season resurgence this year. Back in January, Hoya fans blamed Pickett when his struggles coincided with a five-game losing streak for Georgetown. Since returning from a three-week COVID pause, the Hoyas have been a different team, winning six of their final 10 games to close the regular season. Pickett has been crucial to this turnaround, improving his play and embracing the role of Georgetown’s senior leader on the court. “Right now, he’s been playing his best ball,” Ewing said earlier this week. “He’s playing confident. He’s believing in himself a lot more than he has in the past.”

But most of all, I’ll remember the Jamorko Pickett who weathered the storm and came out the other side. There’s been plenty of rough patches for Pickett, including a disappointing sophomore year in which he saw his role reduced. But through it all, Pickett has persevered and grown as a result of the setbacks. As a fan, it feels like we’ve had the opportunity to witness Jamorko growing up in front of us, not just as a basketball player, but also as a person. “We’ve been through everything,” Blair commented last month. “I mean, he’s been there for the ups and downs and good times, bad times. He’s grown.”

It certainly hasn’t all been sunshine and roses. In Pickett’s four years on the Hilltop, the Hoyas have lost as many games as they’ve won. And barring a minor miracle in this year’s Big East Tournament, Pickett will likely never get his moment on college basketball’s biggest stage, the NCAA Tournament. 

With the NCAA granting winter athletes an extra year of eligibility, Pickett has the option of coming back for one last go-around and hopefully tasting some of the team success that’s been missing. But if this is the end of his time as a Hoya, I’ll have nothing but respect for Jamorko Pickett.