Player Preview: Ismael “Ish” Massoud

Next on the Thompson’s Towel series of player profiles of the 2023-24 Georgetown Hoyas is Kansas State transfer forward Ismael “Ish” Massoud. Massoud committed to Georgetown on May 5, 2023, choosing the Hoyas over suitors such as Fordham, GW, and others. 

During his recruitment, the rumor was Massoud was seeking a starting opportunity, since he averaged just 18.1 MPG over his career between Wake Forest and Kansas State. After not missing a single game last year, averaging 15.3 MPG, 5 PPG, 1.7 RPG and shooting 39% from the field, Massoud emerged late in the season during the Kansas State’s run to the Elite 8, most notably nailing four three-pointers in their win over Michigan State in the Sweet 16. 

Massoud comes to the Hilltop with a reputation as a knockdown three-point shooter, with a career percentage of 37% from deep. Massoud shot a career-high 41.8% last year as the forward posted an offensive rating of 114.1, according to KenPom. Massoud’s advanced analytics tell us the transfer forward is a plus on offense but just a mediocre defender, although his defensive shortcomings don’t nearly rise to the level of past Hoya transfers of the Ewing era.

Unfortunately, we won’t see Massoud’s elite shooting in a Hoyas uniform for quite some time after he reportedly broke his hand in Georgetown’s secret scrimmage loss to Pitt last weekend. As John Fanta reported, Massoud’s timetable to return could be anywhere from 6-8 weeks, so it’s safe to assume that we won’t see Massoud until the TCU game at the absolute earliest, and even that may be a stretch. For a Hoyas frontcourt that has just 4 scholarship players after Akok Akok’s mid-summer transfer, Massoud’s injury leaves the Hoyas incredibly thin up front.

Ultimately, Massoud, who did not start any games for Kansas State last season, was primed to start at the 4 for the Hoyas alongside Fairfield transfer Supreme Cook, acting as a stretch big and a floor spacer. With the broken hand sidelining Massoud for the majority of the non-conference slate, new Hoyas coach Ed Cooley has a decision to make with his starting lineup with just two weeks to go until tip-off.