Georgetown Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hoyas

Key reserves

Mac McClung

McClung is easily Georgetown’s most hyped freshman because of his dunking exploits, but he also happens to be the lowest-rated recruit (No. 245 nationally) in this recruiting class. However, it’s not because he lacks talent – there’s just a lot of unknowns surrounding him.

The biggest concern with McClung the level of competition he played in high school. It wasn’t great by any stretch of the imagination. His numbers were absolutely insane as a senior – he averaged 42 points per game and broke Allen Iverson’s Virginia scoring records, no small feat – but was that due to his raw talent or because of Virginia’s 2A Class not producing much college-level talent?

There’s also the matter of his size. McClung is listed as 6-2 and 175 pounds by 247sports, which is not ideal for the combo guard-style he plays. He’s definitely going to need to get stronger (like pretty much every freshman ever), yet he’s also going to need to either prove he can defend two-guards or handle point guard responsibilities.

It’s easy to see why there’s no much excitement surrounding McClung and his potential at Georgetown.

But, given those current question marks about his game, he’ll likely start the season as a sparkplug off the bench.

James Akinjo

Speaking of freshmen, Akinjo is Ewing’s highest-rated commit and projects to be Georgetown’s long-term starting point guard. Georgetown landed him after he dde-committedfrom UConn following Kevin Ollie’s firing, and the Hoyas are very excited both about the player he is and the player he can turn into.

Like McClung, Akinjo lacks ideal size at 6-foot and 170 pounds, so he’ll definitely need the benefit of a college weight program. On the court, however, Akinjo is a budding star who can create his own shot and has no problem getting to the basket or scoring from the three-point line.

He will be Georgetown’s starting point guard sooner rather than later, but I think Ewing will bring him along slowly until he proves he can handle the physicality of college basketball.

Oh, and if you’re wondering how Akinjo and McClung look playing together, you’re in luck.

These two look like budding stars that the fan base has reason to be excited about.

Antwan Walker

Walker saw limited minutes as a freshman averaging just 7.3 per game, but the 6-9, 230-pounder is going to play a vital role as a versatile big man off the bench for the Hoyas. Ewing has a guard-dominated roster that will lead to them playing small most of the time, and Walker has proven he can play both center in small lineups and the four in bigger lineups.

His shooting touch gives Georgetown an added dimension from their frontcourt. Walker shot 49 percent from the field a year ago and made 40 percent of his three-pointers. That shooting is not a fluke, either, as he shot 93.3 percent from the foul line, which shows his touch really translates.

Expect Walker to be the first big man off the bench for the Hoyas as Govan’s backup.

Greg Malinowski

A transfer from William & Mary, Malinowski will provide added depth and leadership as a senior wing player. He sat out last season but will provide the Hoyas with some much-needed perimeter shooting.

That will be his role – shooter off the bench. Malinowski shot 40 percent from three as a junior with the Tribe and averaged 7.7 points per game. That shooting is needed, too, as Walker is the only returning player who shot at least 39 percent from deep.

Malinowski’s not someone that is going to be a major game-changer, but his shooting will allow him to have an impact and will play a big role in Georgetown’s offensive spacing.

Josh LeBlanc

Another freshman, LeBlanc provides plenty of intrigue as an athletic 6-7, 213-pound forward. Scouts rave about his motor and the energy he plays with on a consistent basis, but his overall skill set is still developing.

He lacks the shooting touch to be a threat from the perimeter and that limits his ability as a small forward. He’s also not quite big or strong enough to really be a true inside player, leaving him as a tweener.

Still, his size, athleticism, and energy should earn him a spot in the rotation right away while Georgetown waits for him to fill out and really develop. I’d look for him to be a high-energy defensive player that provides spot minutes.