While they were overshadows by many other SEC programs, Georgia quietly had one of their best seasons in recent memory. Mike White’s third year with the Bulldogs say them in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in ten seasons, while also notching their first national ranking in nearly 15 years. The Bulldogs only secured 9th place but that was more than enough in that historically tough SEC, though things will look just a bit different this season.
First and foremost, Asa Newell is off to the NBA after incredible work as a true freshman as the team’s lead scorer and rebounder. A few other notable faces are gone, as losing Silas Demary and others to the transfer portal wasn’t exactly welcomed news in Athens. Getting Blue Cain back after a nice sophomore season is a good turn and he’ll be very important next season alongside a whole host of newcomers.
There’s no Newell-level prospect here, but a pair of Top 75 recruits join a nice list of talent from the portal. Former ACC Rookie of the Year Jeremiah Wilkinson is a major name to watch after his work with California. The Bulldogs added a solid shooting point guard in Marcus Millender from UTSA and also got Jordan Ross, a combo guard out of Saint Mary’s.
If this team is making another run at the NCAA Tournament, then it might be on the back of Kanon Catchings. A 6-9 forward from Brownsburg, Indiana, Catchings was a Top 40 prospect last season and began his career with BYU. He earned some looks in the NBA Draft process after putting up 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game but he’s only just coming into what he can produce on the basketball court.
With all of Georgia’s departures, getting a piece like Catchings is even more important. It’s not about those specific figures but what his potential could be for the Bulldogs. He’s a versatile weapon who’ll be a major scorer and rebounder at the wing this season and beyond. Catchings has decent size and the talent to develop into an NBA-level player, though it’s all about how it comes together.
White and his staff added plenty of talent in the backcourt, but Catchings slides into a major role both for himself and for this program. For him it’s a chance to showcase his talent and market himself, building on what realistically were mediocre numbers as a true freshman last year. For the program, Georgia gets a highly touted prospect and gives White and his staff a chance to mold him into a piece that can lead this program back to national glory again.