2012-13 Georgetown Hoyas Player Profiles: Stephen Domingo

With the madness of Madness now behind us, the only thing that stands in the way of Georgetown v. Florida is 26 days on your Gregorian calendar. Over the course of these next precious few days before the Hoyas take to the court, we're dropping player profiles for everyone on the roster. Today, say hello to freshman Stephen Domingo.

St. Ignatius High School Stats: 13.3 PPG, 5RPG, 39% 3FG

2012 FIBA U17 World Championship Stats: 20.1 MPG, 7.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 36% 3FG

A Look Back:

Without much forewarning, Stephen Domingo, a 6'7 smooth-shooting wing from California committed to Georgetown in May. The 4-star recruit was a pleasant boost for Hoya fans at the start of another long summer and seems to epitomize the new normal for a Georgetown recruit: long, versatile, high basketball IQ. Add in his West Coast roots and renown as a three point specialist and the comparisons to the outgoing Hollis Thompson were inevitable – with some casualties wishing he could step in for Hollis's void immediately. Lo-and-behold, Domingo consented. On July 11, it was announced that he decided to forgo his senior year (a la Hollis!) and join the Hoyas immediately. The whole affair seemed just as expected back home, prompting some seemingly unprofessional comments his former high school coach.

Domingo was the leading scorer and rebounder on this team during his junior year – but his team struggled, finishing 11-16. The more noteworthy event for Domingo's more immediate development might have been his participation on the Team USA U17 World Championship. Short of facing down the Red Army, there are few better ways for a young player to get brought up to speed. Representing his county and winning a gold medal, Domingo started 6 of the 8 games and contributed almost exclusively as an outside gunner while playing alongside 2013 #1 prospect Jabari Parker and other elite talents. It's important to note that despite all that time on the floor, Domingo didn't earn a single field throw attempt and didn't do much better in the categories of assists, offensive rebounds and blocks.

Domingo was forced to sit out all but the final Kenner League games while NCAA eligibility issues were sorted out, so there isn't much first hand information to relay from summer league ball. In the few games he did appear in, his silky smooth shot appeared as advertised.

Outlook for 2012-13:

Maybe I'm overly biased by the smooth jams in this sub-two minute mix tape, but I fully expect every shot Stephen Domingo takes to go in. There's even some creeping delusion influenced by the comment comparing him to Reggie Miller, because the ball looks so damn silky as it leaves his hand. Given another year, it would be fair to expect Domingo to be an immediate contributor for the Hoyas. However, a year short on experience, and more critically, strength, it's not so obvious. With the Hollis Thompson exodus, there's a perfectly cut out role that Domingo can fill, the question is whether those minutes will be pinched by a player like Jabril Trawick, who is shorter and less of a three point threat, but more physically Big East-ready.

Best Case Scenario:

Hollis Thompson-light. Hollis carved himself into a serviceable rebounder when he was forced into the four spot and Domingo will inevitably be behind Hollis athletically, but could pick up a lot of the slack. As a three point specialist off the bench, Domingo could earn serious minutes on the wing to provide an offensive outlet for Otto Porter and Markel Starks. Like Greg Whittington last year, Domingo will periodically catch fire and even forge a path to victory as the hot hand, in the process indicating himself a greater potential talent than Thompson. Whereas Hollis thrived on being mechanical, it limited his ability to be a #1 scorer, Domingo shows a craftiness and feel that charts him as successor to Otto as the future of the Hoyas.

Worst Case Scenario:

Gets to become very good friends with Aaron Bowen on the bench. Domingo's early jump may still pay dividends in the future with an extra year of D1 weight training and learning from the Porter/Whittington mold, but he's still too one dimensional and limited physically to break into the rotation as JT3 doesn't trust him on the floor defensively.