TEST THE WATERS: Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber Declares for NBA Draft

Sorber’s potential is too high not to declare.

Fans of the Georgetown Hoyas will have mixed emotions as Thomas Sorber has officially declared his intention to explore the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. Coming off a standout freshman season that earned him All-BIG EAST Third Team and All-Freshman honors—ended too soon by his recent foot surgery—Sorber’s announcement today adds an expected-but-interesting layer to his journey and the team’s future. While many pundits predict Sorber is a bona fide first-round pick, the door to return to the Hilltop has been left open. Hoyas fans will keep a close eye on news of his healing progress and the NBA Draft feedback he receives as he takes this exciting step.

Sorber’s announcement says:

Hoya Nation,

Getting to put on the Georgetown Uniform has been the experience of a lifetime. Since day one, the entire university and alumni have welcomed me and my family in, in a way that has made Georgetown a second home for me.

I’m so incredibly grateful for the entire basketball program. Coaches, teammates, staff, you all have had a tremendous impact on me. Iron sharpens iron, and you have made me better every day.

Today, I am formally declaring my intent to test the waters for the 2025 NBA Draft, while maintaining my college eligibility. Everyone that knows me knows that my dream has always been to play in the NBA, and I am excited for the opportunity to receive feedback from NBA teams as I continue to develop my game and explore the next steps in my basketball career

I am only in this position because of all the amazing people in my life that have helped push me. Family is everything to me, and I’m honored that mine gets to be a part of the wider Georgetown family for life. I’ll be doing everything I can to make you proud.

Hoya Saxa!

There is no denying that Sorber was a key player for the Hoyas this season, averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. His presence was especially missed for rim protection. Sorber was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week seven times this season.

In the February 8 win against Seton Hall, Sorber recorded his eighth double-double of the year with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He was rolling.

Reports of recovery for this type of surgery could extend the timetable to months. Looking beyond the immediate impact of Sorber’s injury, there’s a looming question about his future: Will Thomas Sorber stay at Georgetown or follow through with the NBA draft?

The NBA Early Entry Deadline is April 26, 2025 (8+ weeks from today). The 2025 NBA Draft Combine is scheduled for May 11-18 in Chicago (10+ weeks from today).

For a league that has become skeptical of drafting big men with injuries—looking at you, Joel Embiid—that is a tight turnaround for recovery, but could be done.

Of course he should get acquainted with the NBA scouts and general managers. There should be little doubt that the GMs will love Sorber’s energy, politeness, and enthusiasm as much as Ed Cooley and the Georgetown supporters do.

Still, the decision to enter the NBA draft is complex, with several factors at play:

• Projected Draft Position: A player’s draft stock heavily influences their decision.
• Team Interest and Development History: The specific teams that are interested, and their track record in developing players, are crucial.
• Guaranteed Money: First-round picks come with guaranteed money over multiple years, while second-round picks do not.

There could be other (family) desires in play for pro prospects, including adding another summer and two semesters of college credits if one is aiming to eventually get a college degree.

Likewise, proximity to medical teams and/or family could be important, but in this revenue sharing and NIL era, money is likely driving many of the college stay-or-go decisions.

Revenue sharing and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have changed the financial landscape for college athletes. If Sorber improves his draft stock in one more college season from, e.g., 30th to 14th pick, then taking a rev-share (or NIL) deal and staying another year might be worth it.

Players must weigh the benefits of staying in college, developing their skills, and increasing their draft stock against the guaranteed money and immediate professional opportunity of entering the NBA. But it’s still the NBA.

For instance, jumping from 20th pick ($2.7-2.9MM each of two years) to the 10th pick ($4.5-4.8MM each of two years) or higher (4th pick at $7.6-7.9MM each of two years) could be extremely lucrative—especially if you’re paid while playing about 30 college games.

Still, when the NBA calls, it’s likely best to answer it. There’s a lot of risk in staying anywhere.

Some scouting reports suggest Sorber has the potential to be a first-round pick, with one source even mentioning lottery potential. Scouts have noted Sorber’s ability as a playmaking big man. Sorber’s passing is effective, and he consistently executes plays. He can make sharp passes after receiving the ball on pick-and-pop setups and post-ups. It’s not just that he’s capable, but that he is also demonstrating consistent execution. His court vision is intriguing for someone who did not turn 19 until Christmas Day. Likewise, fans have seen maturity in his defensive leadership.

On the other hand, in January, scouts have noted that Georgetown had played mostly Quad-IV games and only a few Quad-I games. In the Quad-I game against West Virginia, Sorber struggled with foul trouble.

Sorber had improved in that department against BIG EAST competition, but consistency should certainly be a point of emphasis in summer training for him. Sorber averaged 13.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 2.2 blocks in 13 conference games, which is competitive with other conference bigs but shows there is room for improvement.

Sorber has a lot to think about, but Ed Cooley has the right perspective and guidance. Keeping Sorber happy and having a long-term relationship with an NBA big would pay dividends for Cooley and Georgetown. We have to make sure he comes back for a weekend or two of Kenner League every summer.

Whatever Sorber decides this spring, Georgetown fans will be watching closely and hoping for the best. Sorber finding the right road to get healthy and have long-term success should be the paramount wish for any GU fan.

In the meantime, the Hoyas face an uphill battle in Las Vegas without a center.

Best of luck, Thomas! Hoya Saxa.