Recruiting Update: Hoyas Host Pair of Impact Guards as Thompson Center Opens

A few weeks ago, Class of 2017 prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. committed to Michigan State, representing a disappointment in recruiting for Georgetown and its coaching staff. In recent years, the Hoyas have suffered several setbacks in this area, losing recruits including Chris Lykes, Seventh Woods, and Ivan Rabb among others. It is in the nature of recruiting to miss out on more prospects than you get, and disappointments are to be expected.

As Casual said after Jackson’s commitment, it is probably still too early to panic about recruiting. However, this is definitely a situation that is worth tracking for Hoya fans. Jackson’s commitment to Michigan State means that Georgetown still has zero commitments in the Class of 2017 after the de-commitment of Tyler Foster. The early recruiting period is now well underway, and prospects are coming off the board quickly.

John Thompson III has historically recruited well, and he brought in five consensus top-100 prospects in 2014 and 2015. However, there are a few factors working against the Hoyas here. First of all, the team performed very poorly last year. Obviously, this factor is critically important and will negatively impact recruiting. In addition, the team has recently overhauled its coaching staff, hiring two new assistants, which may have hurt the team’s relationships with current prospects.

Still, recruiting is notoriously unpredictable. In the offseason Thompson brought in Rodney Pryor and Jonathan Mulmore to create a respectable, if unconventional, recruiting class of 2016. Undoubtedly, there is still plenty of time to bring in some new contributors for next season and beyond.

One potential advantage for Georgetown in recruiting is The Thompson Center, which is being dedicated today. The new building represents a huge improvement for Georgetown’s athletic facilities, and should be a positive for recruits.

Looking to capitalize on the improvement, JT3 and his staff are bringing in two recruits to take official visits this week. Here’s a look at those two prospects.

Troy Brown, 6’6” G/F, Centennial High (Nevada): #18 ESPN, #12 Rivals, #13 247Sports

Brown is a huge guard prospect, both literally and figuratively. At 6-foot-6, he checks in around 210 pounds with long arms and a lean build. He might actually be closer to 6-foot-7, and there’s a chance that he could grow even more.

A top-20 consensus prospect in the Class of 2017, Brown is a tremendous passer and ball-handler for his size. He thinks of himself as a point guard, and although he may not be a true lead guard at this stage, he is certainly an excellent facilitator from the wing. He is very effective in transition and is capable of making some spectacular passes to find the open man.

It’s fair to think of Brown as the ultimate glue guy. He’s not an elite scorer, but he is athletic, versatile, and unselfish. He uses his size and athleticism to defend a wide range of players, from point guards to power forwards. On offense, he is a threat to take the ball to the rim, and while he is not a great shooter, he can make enough shots to keep the defense honest. Brown always seems like he is in command of the game, and it never seems like he is in a rush.

Brown has taken all five of his official visits, to Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Kansas, and Georgetown in that order. Arizona, California, and UNLV are also in the mix as local schools. His visit to Georgetown this week is his last official visit, meaning that he has taken four official visits without committing to any of those schools. The Hoyas’ position as Brown’s last official visit could be viewed as a positive, as Thompson and his staff will get the last word in his recruitment.

Despite this, Brown is probably a longshot to commit to Georgetown because of the fierce competition for his services. Still, Thompson is continuing to target a few top prospects each year. He would be a crucial addition for 2017 and beyond.

Highlights:

David Beatty, 6’3” G, Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania) Not in ESPN’s top 100, #135 Rivals, #89 247Sports

Beatty is a combo guard from Philadelphia with a strong build and a well-rounded game. While he is not the highest-ranked player out there, he brings a number of positive traits to the table. At 6-foot-3, Beatty is not a true point guard, but he has been working to improve his lead guard skills. He is a willing passer who is particularly effective in transition, where he is creative as both a passer and a finisher.

Like former Hoya guard and fellow Philadelphian Jabril Trawick, Beatty has a reputation for toughness and competitiveness. He is willing to take the ball to the rim, take contact, and finish in traffic. He is a creative finisher who can use his body to shield the ball and finish with either hand.

Beatty is a good athlete with a college-ready frame. He can play above the rim and has the potential to be a solid defender on the perimeter. He also has three-point range and is a good enough shooter to demand respect from defenders.

There are reasons to question Beatty’s long-term potential, as his production has been inconsistent at times. He also does not have any truly elite skills, but is just a solid player across the board.

Georgetown made Beatty’s final five along with UConn, Maryland, Indiana, and LaSalle. He plans to officially visit Indiana, Maryland, and UConn along with Georgetown. It appears that the Hoyas are right in the mix with Beatty, who has been complimentary of the coaching staff and the program.

Highlights: