Home  >  Archives


Georgetown Basketball: July 2008 News Archive

Ewing Trade In The Works 7/31/08

Rookie forward Patrick Ewing Jr. may be on the move as part of an emerging NBA trade, reports the Houston Chronicle.

As part of a trade involving sending Donte Greene and Bobby Jackson to Sacramento for Ron Artest, the Chronicle reports that "the Rockets also are expected to acquire rookies Patrick Ewing Jr. and Sean Singletary to make the money in the deal match, but both have partially guaranteed contracts and are likely to be released."

Schedule Update 7/30/08

Pairings for the 2008 Old Spice Classic have been posted at GUHoyas.com, with the Hoyas opening the three game series with a Thanksgiving game with Wichita State. The (Wheat) Shockers return two starters from last season's 11-20 team. This will be the first meeting between the schools.

Although Maryland is also in the tournament, the two teams are in different brackets and would not be expected to meet unless both teams simultaneously advance in the championship or consolation brackets.

Early Big East Preview 7/28/08

Despite the middle of the summer being a quiet time for basketball, there is some interest in the press in anticipation of the 2008-09 season. This link to Sunday's Providence Journal sees the Hoyas as seventh among the 16 Big East schools heading into next season.

Braswell Reopens Recruiting For 2009 7/16/08

As noted earlier, 2008 recruit Chris Braswell's return for a second year of prep school has sparked interest from a number of schools in the 6-8 forward.

Braswell, who did not sign a letter of intent with the University, told the Charleston Daily Mail that "I want to look at other schools and weigh my options, but Georgetown is still on my list...[Georgetown] might give my scholarship away, but there are other schools, not only Georgetown, on my mind now and I know there are a lot of schools that may want me."

NBA: Hibbert Trade Official 7/10/08

Though a poorly kept secret, NBA rules did not allow Toronto and Indiana to announce the trade that sends Roy Hibbert to Indiana until July 9, and now it's official.

"I think Roy is going to be one of those young men that will be better in the pros than he was in college," said the Pacers' Jim O'Brien. "There have been some questions about whether he can play in our type of style but I say emphatically yes. There's no question in my mind. He's not the fastest guy but he's a persistent runner, he'll run hard all the time. Whatever his true speed is, he'll get down there on a regular basis.... Guys that have come through that Georgetown program, playing for the Thompsons, don't back down from anybody."

In other NBA news, the Sacramento Kings have come to terms with Patrick Ewing Jr. Further terms were not disclosed.

Vaughn Eligible In 2008-09 7/4/08

Sophomore center Julian Vaughn, a transfer from Florida State expected to be eligible in 2009-10, has received eligibility for the 2008-09 season, per a release at GUHoyas.com.

"Julian transferred to be closer to his home for personal reasons which he wishes to keep private. This was considered by the NCAA along with his good academic standing and the lack of objection from FSU," said coach John Thompson III in a brief statement. "They granted him a waver from the usual transfer rules and we're very pleased that Julian will be part of our program and have the opportunity to lend support to his family."

Vaughn averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in his freshman season at Florida State, and provides depth at center for the 2008-09. A possible depth chart is below, with newcomers in green.

Guards
Chris Wright (Soph, 5.7 ppg) Jessie Sapp (Sr.,11.1 ppg)
Jason Clark (Fr.)
Forwards
Austin Freeman (Soph, 9.1 ppg) Dajuan Summers (Jr., 11.1 ppg)
Nikita Mescheriakov (RS Fr.) Greg Monroe (Fr.)
Omar Wattad (Soph, 1.0) Bryon Jansen  (Sr. 0.3 ppg)
Centers
Henry Sims (Fr.) Julian Vaughn (So.)
 
Kenner League Begins 7/5 7/4/08

In NCAA parlance, it's known as the "Nike City College/Pro League" event, but since 1981 the James (Jabbo) Kenner League has become a right of passage for two generations of players and fans. The 2008 summer schedule was released this week with games beginning Saturday, July 5.

Of interest to Georgetown fans will be the lineup of "The Tombs". Per the link above, the Tombs will include sophomore Chris Wright, redshirt freshman Nikita Mescheriakov, and freshmen Henry Sims, Jason Clark, and Greg Monroe. All ten players on scholarship for the Hoyas will be on teams this month.

Admission is free, but long time Kenner fans know to expect that game times are subject to change and concessions can be a hit or miss proposition. Still, it has a legend all its own. A 2007 feature at The HOYA looks at the league and the fan base which has grown up around it.

The Jack Crew 7/4/08

With a pedigree that dates back almost 90 years, there hasn't always been a "Jack the Bulldog" at Georgetown, but thanks to the efforts of a student-based crew, the Jack tradition is in good hands--lots of them.

Between 1920 and 1962, Georgetown had a number of mascots: Stubby the terrier being the most famous, followed by names such as Hoya I, Hoya II, Butch and Bo. In 1962, students adopted a English Bulldog as its mascot, and today's heir to the Jack legacy is featured in this Georgetown news release.

Up to 20 students help keep Jack busy across campus, along with Rev. Christopher Steck, S.J. who has taken care of the dog since 2003. "'People who volunteer for the Jack Crew tend to be those most faithful to Georgetown and love the university. And I've found those who are most dedicated to Georgetown are more likely to take care of Jack very well," he said.

2008-09 Big East Opponents 7/3/08

The Big East conference has announced its list of conference games for the 2008-09 season.

The conference must schedule 18 games across 15 opponents, leaving each team three home and away games, six home only, and six away only. The home and away opponents include Cincinnati, Marquette, and Syracuse. Home games will include DePaul, Louisville, Pitt, Providence, Rutgers, and West Virginia, with away games will include Connecticut, Notre Dame, St. John's, Seton Hall, South Florida, and Villanova.

Dates and times have yet to be announced.

Ewing Drafted By Globetrotters 7/3/08

While Patrick Ewing Jr. will be focusing on an NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, he has also earned interest from the Harlem Globetrotters, which selected Ewing as its first selection in a six player draft.

"When evaluating draft prospects, we look for players that bring special skills and the personality to potentially be Harlem Globetrotters,” said the Globetrotters' Clyde Sinclair in a news release. “We hope we can be as fortunate as last year, when our top pick, Ant Atkinson, not only made the team, but has flourished.”

Thompsons On Alumni House Wall 7/1/08

Thanks to the efforts of a number of alumni and readers to this site, a fundraising effort to place likenesses of coaches John Thompson and John Thompson III on a wall at Alumni House was culminated at a reception held last week.

"It’s a tremendous honor, and I’m appreciative to be in the alumni house," Thompson III said. "On behalf of myself and Pops, and most importantly all the players we’ve had the opportunity to coach, I’m grateful."

One More Try 7/1/08

In 2001, he was a Georgetown forward with the NBA in his sights. In 2008, the Edmonton Journal talks to Lee Scruggs (C'01), who would still like to make one more run at an NBA roster.

Scruggs, 29, plays for the Edmonton Chill of the International Basketball League, which plays primarily in the western US. But Scruggs remembers an opportunity to play for the Washington Wizards that eluded him.

"I had just graduated from Georgetown and I was getting ready for the draft and a lot of guys come back in the summertime at Georgetown and play," Scruggs remembered. "I played with (Jordan). It was an incredible experience. He actually liked my game and he brought me in after the draft and I had a good chance of making that team. But at the last second, one of the guys that was a free agent ended up signing with them and knocked me out of the spot."

Over the years, Scruggs has played with a variety of teams and would like to get one more try at the NBA, but is realistic about it, too.

"It's going to end sometime, and that's why I went to school and got a degree," he said. "After basketball, I plan on getting my real estate license, doing something like that, maybe get into coaching. Right now I'm still focusing on playing and getting better."

 

HoyaSaxa.com: The One-Stop Web Site For Hoya Basketball™
An independent web site not affiliated with Georgetown University. All rights reserved.