A Mutombo will soon be donning the Blue and Gray once again. Four-star senior center Ryan Mutombo, son of Hoyas great Dikembe Mutombo, committed to Georgetown Sunday night. Mutombo is Patrick Ewing’s fourth, and potentially final, commit for the class of 2021.
Mutombo’s commitment reaffirms Georgetown’s status as a family program. The father-son combo of Dikembe and Ryan is just one of many that have been involved with the Hoyas over the years. From the Ewings, the Mournings, and of course, the Thompsons, Georgetown can boast a strong family legacy within its program.
For an anxious fanbase, Mutombo’s commitment to Georgetown should not only help to assuage fears that the program can’t reel in recruits with whom it already has preexisting relationships, but also that the program isn’t capable of bringing in top-tier talent. His commitment disproves both, and builds on an already talented class that has the athletic ability to play the run’n’gun style that Ewing has coveted for the past few years.
Although there is the family connection to Georgetown, Ryan Mutombo has made it clear that he’s his own man, and the coaching staff envisions a starring role for him in the Hoyas squads of the next few years. In an interview with Rivals in April, Mutombo said that his recruitment to Georgetown was “more than just a legacy thing”, with the coaching staff having a vision and role for Mutombo within the program.
By most every account, Mutombo has the ability to be a major contributor from the minute he steps foot on the Hilltop. At 6’11, Mutombo brings a rare combination of size and finesse to the table. He has proven to be a capable rebounder and rim protector at the high-school level, while also flashing soft hands and an emerging jump shot.
Perhaps most encouraging is Mutombo’s high ceiling; Evan Daniels of 247Sports describes Mutombo as a “true low post player” and a “late bloomer with major upside.” Under the tutelage of Patrick Ewing, there’s reason to believe Mutombo could develop into the type of dominant big man that has defined Georgetown’s legacy on the basketball court.
Barring any potential transfers or early exits for the NBA draft, Mutombo fills the Hoyas’ fourth and final open scholarship for the 2021-2022 season. He will join incoming guards Jordan Riley and Tyler Beard, as well as forward Jalin Billingsley, all three-star prospects according to 247Sports’ latest rankings. Adding a true big man like Mutombo is all Ewing and his staff needed to round out an already solid recruiting class, likely Ewing’s best to date. Prior to Mutombo’s commitment, Georgetown’s 2021 class of recruits ranked 29th in the nation, which is all but guaranteed to improve with the addition of a highly-coveted recruit like Mutombo. I’ll be the first to admit that highly-ranked recruiting classes don’t automatically translate to wins, but it’s hard not to feel optimistic about this class of future Hoyas. Call me a homer (I certainly am), but Ryan Mutombo’s commitment could be a turning point for a program that finally seems to be finding its sense of direction.
