Georgia Tech coach Damon Stoudamire has been actively recruiting new talent this offseason. He’s successfully brought in one of the top recruiting classes and four impactful transfer players.
Javian McCollum, who hails from Oklahoma, is expected to take on the role of a starting combo guard
McCollum is highly regarded, having been one of the top scorers in pick-and-roll situations nationwide last year, despite playing for a shorthanded Oklahoma team. His ability to create opportunities off the dribble makes him a dynamic player, capable of leading Georgia Tech’s offense or serving as a lethal spot-up shooter alongside Nait George.
Although McCollum’s three-point shooting percentage stands at 31%, it may not fully reflect his true capabilities. This is because he often had to take difficult shots as a go-to option in late-shot-clock situations for Oklahoma, resulting in a 4-for-24 performance on three-pointers with less than four seconds left on the shot clock. With some adjustments to his game, McCollum has the potential to emerge as one of the premier guards in the ACC.
Luke O’Brien, hailing from Colorado, is expected to take on the role of a probable starting forward
O’Brien brings valuable experience playing alongside highly skilled basketball players. He is a low-usage wing player who excels off the ball and serves as a vital link within the team. With a shooting percentage of over 37% from beyond the arc, O’Brien demonstrates proficiency as a three-point shooter and is particularly adept at making timely cuts to the basket, as evidenced by numerous instances of successful cuts on his game footage. While O’Brien may not excel as a creator of scoring opportunities for himself, this is not expected to be his primary responsibility within the Georgia Tech team. While not known as a lockdown defender, O’Brien is also not a liability on the defensive end of the court.
Duncan Powell, representing Sacramento State, is anticipated to fulfill a role within the team’s wing rotation
Powell’s skill set is evidently defined. He excels as an offensive rebounder and demonstrates effectiveness in post-up situations. Additionally, his passing ability, considering his stature at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, is noteworthy. However, in order to significantly contribute at a higher competitive level, Powell must enhance his shooting capabilities. In the previous season, Powell connected on 14 3-pointers across 27 games, equating to a 29% shooting accuracy. It was observed that opposing defenses did not actively challenge his perimeter shooting.
Ryan Mutombo from Georgetown is projected to serve as the backup center
Georgia Tech lacked a player standing at 7 feet tall on their team, and this is where Mutombo comes into play. With his imposing 7-foot-2, 265-pound stature, he brings significant size to the position. Despite his physical attributes, he encountered difficulties earning playing time within the rotation at Georgetown. It is expected that he will primarily provide relief minutes at the center position, supporting standout sophomore Baye Ndongo.
I concur with the evaluations. I believe that McCollum and George have the potential to become one of the premier backcourt duos in the ACC this season, although I am concerned about their defensive capabilities. O’Brien is expected to contribute by providing floor spacing, and playing alongside George as his point guard could lead to numerous open shot opportunities for him. Powell, being a seasoned player, is likely to excel in various supportive aspects of the game.
With McCollum, George, Ndongo, and O’Brien on the team, Powell may not be required to carry much of the scoring load, but an improvement in his three-point shooting would be highly significant. Mutombo has the capacity to make a meaningful impact for the Yellow Jackets with his size and shot-blocking abilities, which have been lacking on the Georgia Tech team. When combined with the incoming freshmen, Georgia Tech appears to have a roster with a promising potential for the upcoming season.
New Numbers for Incoming Freshmen and Transfers
The team is aiming for significant improvement next season, with these new additions expected to play crucial roles. Today, their jersey numbers for the upcoming season were announced.
New faces » new numbers#StingEm 🐝 pic.twitter.com/EzHIhoDyNb
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) July 13, 2024
Oklahoma transfer Javin McCollum has chosen to wear No. 2, Jaeden Mustaf will don No. 3, Luke O’Brien, who transferred from Colorado, will sport No. 9, while Georgetown transfer Ryan Mutombo will wear No. 12. Duncan Powell, who transferred from Sacramento State, will wear No. 31, and Doryan Onwuchekwa will don jersey No. 45.
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