DSR Going Pro: Where Do We Go From Here?

I think it's fairly certain DSR goes undrafted and either attempts the D-League or heads overseas where he can and will have a long and successful career. There just isn't a market for sub 6'2 guards who play at one speed (and not a quick one). DSR did not leave anything on the table with his ability, there is pleasure to take in from watching a college player max out his talent. Watching him play the first few games this past season I thought he was hunting for his shot and had the NBA on his mind - and it apparently may have stayed there - but he played for the team and transitioned into the PG position better than most could have hoped for.

DSR will be missed as a ball-handler, FT shooter and a crafty scorer who could take over for stretches against lesser talented teams. This isn't a knock, it's a positive when you're struggling through a Tuesday night game in Allstate Arena and he gets 24 points in a 6 point win. (I actually wrote that outcome without looking it up or realizing Georgetown did play at DePaul on a Tuesday, won by 6 and DSR posted 25, not 24.) That's just the type of player he is. You knew exactly what to expect. The only variable at times was his shooting, but even that had become predictable. His steadiness will be missed.

Perhaps he was in line to be the most productive and consistent guard of the III era - albeit not providing the same type of ceiling Chris Wright and Austin Freeman did. His struggles with length and size were evident later on in the year with certain match-ups (Xavier, Utah). When people asked to see a more selfish DSR, I never saw a way for him to get to that point against better competition. But all in all, a great contributor to the program and representative of the university.

Where Georgetown goes from here: JTIII and staff will have to find a guard one way or another. Be it with a late 2015 signing or more likely, a post-graduate transfer (which is also more appealing). Trey Lewis (maybe?), Damion Lee (long list), Derrick Gordon (?), Adam Smith (?), Anthony Collins (?) and others will be discussed. I can't deny that's it fair game to be frustrated with the staff for not having an inkling of this scenario. However, it's my guess they had the same reaction as the fan base upon hearing of the news.

Next season's team will be monstrous. LJ Peak is now the 2nd shortest player at 6'5, and you would assume you see a bit of Paul White at 6'8/6'9 playing in the back court. The predicament to me, would be a roster that will struggle shooting the ball - but at it's size may not be best situated to run either. It's size and skill across the board will have to make things work in the half court similar to III's first batch of teams at Georgetown.

With DSR there was always a ceiling. I can't imagine a SR year DSR looking much different from a JR year DSR. Physically there isn't a lot of work left to be done. A 35inch vertical and a growth spurt isn't a summer of work away. DSR was a constant on the floor, but I'm not sure others played off of him as much as he played off of himself. DSR on a bad team is likely DSR on a good team, as evident from 2014 to 2015.

Not a selfish player by any means, far from it - but I don't believe others played well because of him or leaned on his facilitating (in fairness, it's not offense that will play off of the PG often) to significantly hinder the growth of the young players with his departure.

Tre Campbell is now nearly a lock to play 75% of available minutes. LJ Peak, Paul White, Isaac Copeland and Marcus Derrickson will play a ton, featured in big, versatile lineups and we can expect Kaleb Johnson to get his feet wet early on now. Jessie Govan was always going to be plugged in immediately and while this doesn't impact the forward and center positions in any way, it could provide continuity heading into the 2016-2017 season, one which holds a lot of promise on paper.

DSR was an indispensable 6th man on a Big East Conference championship team that earned a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He was the best and most reliable player on a 2nd place Big East team with a 4 seed and NCAA Tournament win. He'll be missed, next season has gone from a Top 10-15 potential team to a group that will probably float around the back end of the Top 30-35 and flirt with the bubble (safely, in my opinion). Today is a step back, and another unfortunate loss of a player declining to join a ready-made team (Jeff Green '07, DaJuan Summers '10, Greg Monroe '11, Hollis Thompson '13, Otto Porter '14). All of those names have gone on to lead successful careers, in the NBA or elsewhere. DSR will be no different. Georgetown has gone on to replace those names and still find success - even if not at the highest level which we have all hoped for since Jeff's departure. That doesn't change here, either. The highest level? The program can hit that again, too. It just hinges on another player in the same situation next year. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Hoya Saxa.