D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a 6'3 combo guard originally from Indianapolis, IN has committed to Georgetown. The consensus top 50 guard is completing his high school ball at Oak Hill Academy in VA and has been John Thompson III's top target in the Class of 2012 since it became increasingly clear Kyle Anderson would look elsewhere.
Smith-Rivera, or "DSR," was committed to Xavier at the end of last year and while Georgetown was seen as a frontrunner after he decommitted, there had been a surge of interest for the high scoring guard from the likes of Louisville, UCLA, NC State and Memphis. Though his official announcement came today, it became apparent that Georgetown had surged to the top of DSR's list after he canceled scheduled visits to Memphis and Louisville and attended Georgetown's Midnight Madness last night.
More on DSR after The Jump:
A strong combo-guard, DSR is rated the 22nd best player in the nation by Rivals, 30th by Scout, and 45th by ESPN. There is a lot of debate about how good of a college player DSR will be, as some are down on him due to his perceived lack of athleticism and defense. However, he is a high basketball IQ kid who can score with the best of them. Smith-Rivera a great scorer who, like former Hoya Austin Freeman, uses his broad frame to bully smaller guards around the court. Though not perceived as a great defender, hopefully the team's new focus on the defensive end will rub off on DSR or at least help mask this deficiency.
Guard depth is the most obvious hole going into the 2012-2013 season. Georgetown is already thin at guard this year and will be losing Jason Clark to graduation. While the Hoyas have a number of wings on the team, some of whom can play the two spot, the only two point guards on next year's roster will be Markel Starks and Jabril Trawick. A third ball-handling guard is a must on this team and the likely departure of Hollis Thompson will leave the Hoyas without any proven deep threats -- DSR will fill both those needs.
With Midnight Madness officially kicking off the hoops season last night, it's great to finally hear news about the program that doesn't result in wailing alone in our mother's basements or gnashing our teeth in disgust at the future of the Big East. Top recruits Troy Williams '13 and Kennedy Meeks '13 among others were in attendance last night, so hopefully JT3 can keep the good news coming and convince a few more recruits to strive for fame and glory on the Hilltop (against the storied hoops programs of Central Florida and Navy).
Welcome to the Georgetown family, DSR.