LINKS: Georgetown Loses Starter to the Transfer Portal

Further prevailing rumors indicate Cooley may have a new point guard.

With a lot of good news buzzing for the Georgetown Hoyas recently—such as the commitment of a defensive-minded grad transfer guard from TCU and the hiring a of a highly regarded recruiter as assistant coach—the other shoe had to drop for Hoyas fans. Junior forward Dontrez Styles has entered the Transfer Portal.

The 6’6” forward transferred to Georgetown after two years at UNC and certainly made an impact in the rough Hoyas’ season as the second-leading scorer (12.8 ppg) and rebounder (5.8). There were plenty of times where Styles was one of only a few bright spots on the floor for the Hoyas last season and he will be missed by fans.

It is unclear if the staff’s plan was always to let guys like Wayne Bristol, Jr., Rowan Brumbaugh, and Dontrez Styles walk—as they could be seen a solid pieces for many NCAA teams—or whether this is a byproduct of NIL, portal rumors, personalities, and/or global climate change. Time will tell if building this year’s roster works in Ed Cooley’s favor.

Nevertheless, the good rumors include that Harvard guard Malik Mack is expected to make a decision about where to transfer soon after his visit to Georgetown this past weekend (and a canceled visit to Virginia). Mack is a local guy (Oxon Hill) and would help give Georgetown one of the most talented backcourts in the nation, let alone the conference.

Jayden Epps is still a Hoya. The incorrect reporting that Jayden Epps is entering the portal is being spread by some of Georgetown’s own fans. The only “person” reporting this is @RealRobReinhart, which appears to be a Providence troll who enjoys pressing the buttons on GU fans.

Pathetic, even for Providence fans. Do not engage and always check your sources.

Here are some links and tweets:

Harvard PG Mack cancels trip to UVA, favored to land at G’town | Jerry Ratcliffe

Meanwhile, former Harvard freshman star Malik Mack, the No. 1 point guard in the transfer portal, canceled his weekend visit to Virginia and apparently is headed to Georgetown.

Mack was scheduled to visit UVA over last weekend, along with St. Mary’s forward Joshua Jefferson, but Mack was a no-show. Jefferson did visit, his first of three scheduled visits this month (the other two stops are Iowa State, April 19-21, and TCU the following week). Jefferson canceled a scheduled visit to VCU immediately after his stop in Charlottesville.

Observers believed Mack was a perfect fit for Tony Bennett’s system, particularly on defense. The Ivy League Freshman of the Year averaged 17 points and 4.8 assists per game, and would have given the Cavaliers a point guard with a year of college experience.

UVA’s two returning point guards are Dante Harris and redshirt-freshman Christian Bliss, who did not play last season.

Virginia to Host Harvard Transfer Point Guard Malik Mack for Official Visit | SI

It’s not difficult to see why, as the 6’1” freshman guard proved to be one of the most talented guards not just in the Ivy League, but in the entire country in his first season playing college basketball. Mack started 24 games this season and ranked third among first-year players in scoring in the entire country. In 33.2 minutes per game, Mack averaged 17.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game and shot 34.1% from three-point range on 5.5 three-point attempts per contest.

Mack led the Ivy League in assists, was fourth in scoring, fifth in assist to turnover ratio (1.9), and sixth in steals. He scored 20 or more points in eight different games and ran away with the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award as well as an All-Ivy League honorable mention.

Dontrez Styles breaks down transfer decision, NC State interest | 247 Sports

After starting out his career at North Carolina for two seasons, Dontrez Styles was looking for more opportunity last offseason. The former Top-75 player in the 2021 class entered the transfer portal, found a new home at Georgetown and thrived despite a rough season for the Hoyas overall.

Now, Styles is looking to make one final move. Coming off a season where the Hoyas won just single-digit games, Styles wants to bring the production he had in Georgetown to a program competing for a spot in the postseason.

ON3’s Jamie Shaw Puts in a Prediction Georgetown SF Transfer Dontrez Styles will Land at NC State | Pack Insider

Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.

Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.

After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.

With his final year of eligibility, maybe he’ll make the right choice this time.

Georgetown Basketball Welcomes Top Recruiter Kenny Johnson as Assistant Coach | BVM Sports

By the Numbers

Johnson has coached numerous NBA players, including Terry Rozier, Montrezl Harrell, and Victor Oladipo.

He was named the nation’s 10th-best recruiting assistant coach by ESPN Insider in 2016.

Johnson’s tenure at Louisville saw a program record of 75-26, including an Elite 8 run in 2015 and a second-round appearance in 2017.

State of Play

Kenny Johnson’s addition to the coaching staff has generated excitement for Georgetown basketball and the DMV.

He is recognized for his coaching and recruiting abilities, having worked with NBA players and achieved success at various levels of the game.