LINKS: Ewing, Staff Still Active on Recruits and Grad Transfers

In case you’ve been asleep since December, the Georgetown Hoyas have more than a couple roster spots available and have been recruiting hard. With Omer Yurtseven having said his goodbyes, and the seniors not likely to get eligibility relief, the Hoyas have three open scholarships and a roster that may see 7+ new faces, again.

There is tremendous pressure on Georgetown to recruit top talent these days, but also high demand that Ewing miraculously root out any unpredictable character issues that may further besmirch our beloved university. More than a few fans have proposed the absurd hindsight concept that Patrick Ewing and his staff didn’t have a thorough enough vetting process before, which clearly led to the alleged incidents last fall. Whether the accused offenses were part of deep character flaws in the players, it is impossible to tell if Ewing could have avoided the issues even with a Maury-level lie detection session.

That said, some potential personnel issues may be avoided—such as identifying talent that may frustrate coaches and teammate and hurt chemistry—by looking into “coachability” of a prospect. Moreover, Ewing’s lineup rotations were not optimal last fall with 11+ players, and more than a few players will undoubtedly have to show patience.

Still, confirmation that Ewing is personally visiting recruits more often and several rumors that the staff is applying some deeper due diligence, is more than welcome.

Fans clamor for more guys like Jagan Mosely to fill the roster. Well, then recruit more high school valedictorians for scholarship roster spots and watch the positive effects on the team as a whole.

Here are the recruiting links:

Grad Transfers

Jordan Bruner - F, Yale (per @Stockrisers)

Elite schools calling on graduate transfer Jordan Bruner | 247Sports

“I’d like to keep my options open and hear what NBA scouts and other people think I’m capable of and what they think about me,” he added. “I don’t want to get stuck in a place where I can’t play in college if I want to.”

The news broke Wednesday evening, and since Bruner has already heard from Duke, Kansas, Baylor, Maryland, Xavier and Florida State.

”I’m sure that I’ll hear from a number of schools now that my name is in the portal,” he said. “Whoever wants me it will definitely be based on the need for me and the fit, where I can go and where I can showcase what I can do. Ultimately, the goal is to play as a professional athlete.”

Kevin Marfo - F, Quinnipiac

More than 25 schools reach out to graduate transfer Kevin Marfo | 247 Sports

“This is my third time so I kind of know what to expect,” Marfo told 247Sports. “I am about to turn 23 so I have a good grasp of what I’m supposed to do in this process. It is a little overwhelming but it’s nothing that I can’t handle.”

Marfo started his career at George Washington. After his freshman year he transferred and sat out a year before playing at Quinnipiac. Through his high school recruitment and transfer recruitment he said he has prior relationships with coaches at Boston College, Georgetown, Xavier, Virginia Tech and Louisville.

Transfers

Landers Nolley II - SF, Virginia Tech (per Jeff Goodman)

Source: Hokies freshman Landers Nolley II to enter NCAA transfer portal | Richmond.com

Virginia Tech basketball redshirt freshman Landers Nolley II, the team’s leading scorer, has entered his name into the NCAA’s transfer portal, a source confirmed Monday.

The 6-foot-7 Atlanta native averaged 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for Tech, ranking first and second on the team in those categories. He ended the year in a prolonged shooting slump, going 11 for 57 on 3-point attempts over his final 10 games.

Nolley will have to sit out next season at his new school, and then will have three years to play two seasons, unless he’s granted a special waiver or the NCAA approves the one-time transfer waiver it’s currently considering.

Jamarius Burton - Wichita State (per @Stockrisers)

NC State among the schools interested in Wichita State transfer Jamarius Burton | Backing the Pack (SB Nation)

Burton averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in about 27 minutes per contest. He has two years of eligibility remaining and will have to sit out next year, unless he can get a waiver. He started 24 games for Wichita this past season after starting 28 games as a freshman. Whatever his reason for leaving, playing time ain’t it.

Burton is from Charlotte, which might help NC State here.

As a sophomore, he shot 38.1% from three, though he attempted just 63 of those.

Trey McGownes - PG, Pitt (per @Stockrisers)

Trey McGowens, Jeff Capel’s first verbal commitment at Pitt, enters transfer portal | Post-Gazette

Last season, McGowens averaged 11.5 points, 3.6 assists and a team-high 1.9 steals per game. He ranked third on the team in scoring and second in assists, showing improved ability as a ball-handler and distributor...

“Our family is extremely appreciative of coach Capel and the Pittsburgh family,” said Bobby McGowens, Trey’s father. “Trey committed to Pittsburgh to develop as a point guard and things just didn’t work out. His goal for his next college is to play point guard more on a full-time basis.”

Recruits

2020 Kerwin Walton SG

Available senior Kerwin Walton talks recruitment, eying Georgetown visit | Stockrisers

“The schools that have still been recruiting me hard is Arizona, Creighton, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, and UNC.”

Walton said that Georgetown was the latest school to reach out and inquire which was on January 3rd when they extended an offer. Patrick Ewing watched him and met with him on February 24th.

“I was thinking about visiting Georgetown because I haven’t seen them. They are the only school I haven’t seen but I’m looking to see if I have the opportunity to visit.”

2020 Seryee Lewis a 6’8” 2- or 3-star forward is announcing his commitment at 5pm (PDT?)

2021 Legend Geeter received an offer.

Legend Geeter beginning to live up to name with River Rouge basketball | Detroit Free Press

Although he can make perimeter shots, the 6-foot-6 Geeter is best in the post where he can use his quickness against bigger players or use his passing abilities.

“I’m really good at passing,” he said. “I see everything on the floor.” ...

“I tell all of the college coaches that he’s the best player on my team and I don’t start him,” Stone said. “And he hasn’t said a word about it; his dad hasn’t said a word about. In this day and time, a kid with that talent, usually by this time you’re going to catch some feedback as a coach.” Stone’s decision not to start Geeter had more to do with highlighting the team’s seniors than any shortcoming of Geeter’s.