Jonathan Mulmore – G: 6’4’’, 185 lbs. New Orleans, LA
At just 185 pounds, junior guard Jonathan Mulmore’s 6-foot-4 physical frame may not seem particularly imposing, but don’t let that fool you. Mulmore is fast with the ball, drives to the rim with authority, and is prepared to take bumps in the lane to finish or pass to an open teammate. Last year for Allegany College of Maryland, Mulmore averaged 11.6 free throw attempts per game, leading Division I of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). He shot .809 from the line (third in NJCAA), and his ability to draw fouls helped him average 26.1 points per game, making Mulmore the top scorer in the division.
Mulmore also led the conference in assists with 5.9 per game. He adds another reliable ball handler to the team, so expect him to compete with fellow junior guard Tre Campbell for minutes.
Head Coach John Thompson III points to Mulmore’s two years of college basketball experience as vital to him being so comfortable with the team already.
“It’s not like you’re getting a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed freshman who’s still negotiating being away from home for the first time at college and everything else that I think the public forgets,” Thompson said.
Mulmore can contribute right away, so when he takes the court on Saturday, he won’t be shocked by the learning curve. Expect a significant contribution right away from the junior.
George Muresan – F: 6’9’’, 210 lbs. Potomac, MD
Priority walk-on and 6-foot-9 freshman forward George Muresan is used to being in the shadows. No shadow is bigger than the one made by his 7-foot-7 father Gheorghe Muresan, the joint tallest player in NBA history, who played for the Washington Bullets in the 1990s. The younger Muresan may not be generating as much buzz as some of the team’s other new faces, but he can still find a way to make his presence felt on the team.
A quick look at his highlight tape shows decisive post moves, a tenacious attitude defending shots and rebounding, and a fundamentally sound shot. His all-around aggression should be an asset to a Georgetown team that wants to run in the open floor, but at just 210 pounds, he could struggle to adjust to the sheer size of players that would match up with him in the college game.
It may take Muresan a little time to adjust, but senior forward Reggie Cameron isn’t worried about him making the jump from high school.
“He’s getting along. He’s shaking off his wet feet,” Cameron said. “He’ll be fine.”
On a team already deep with talented big men, Muresan probably won’t see much playing time, but don’t be surprised if he provides an extra spark when the team needs one when he does get on the court. Muresan won’t be making any headlines, but Hoya fans will appreciate his work rate when he’s in the game.
Jagan Mosely – G: 6’3”, 205 lbs. Morganville, NJ
Despite his natural athleticism and natural ability with the ball, 6-foot-3, 205 pound guard Jagan Mosely plays with the sense of urgency and scrappiness characteristic of someone devoid of his natural talent. However, Mosely’s thoughts on this season also shed light on the environment under which he enters this year’s squad: with reservations, but with hope.
“I don’t believe any transition in life is easy… I love challenges, though, so I’m looking at the transition as a challenge” said Mosely.
The freshman, who led St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City with 13.0 points per game his senior year, has an aggressive drive, impressive shot, and the ability to create on the offensive end. His points per game doubled between his sophomore and junior years of high school, so his knack for unpredictable improvement makes it risky to place limits on his potential. Given the still uncertain nature of the Hoyas’ lineup, it’s difficult to pinpoint when and where the fleet-footed guard will be used by Coach Thompson this season.
Mosely likely won’t get starter’s minutes early, but his drive and maturity could secure him the backup point guard spot or time as a shooting guard in the event a bigger player is transitioned into the paint.
Coming from one of the most competitive high school basketball programs in New Jersey, Mosely is used to accepting criticism. However, Mosely is still a first-year player, and his ability to learn and grow over the course of the early season will determine if he is to become a key player for Georgetown’s squad.
Ra’Mond Hines – G: 6’4”, 175 lbs. Washington, DC
“A crazy series of events” is how junior guard Ra’Mond Hines described his journey last March from team manager to Georgetown basketball player on the court of Madison Square Garden against DePaul. But playing at the Division 1 level against some of the country’s top teams has become the 6’4” guard’s new norm. Majoring in economics and government with an English minor, the studious Hines graduated from local high school Gonzaga Prep believing his basketball days were behind him. After a year managing the team, stepping in to play defense during practice every now and then, and making a notable impression on fellow Gonzaga alum Coach Thompson, he now has a Hoya jersey all to himself.
Hines has the fundamentals, work ethic, and conditioning to operate at the collegiate level, but not much is known about his specific strengths and weaknesses. More than likely, he won’t get any significant minutes, but will be a valuable practice player and might see the court if Georgetown enjoys any runaway wins this year. That, of course, is not definite, and at 175 pounds, Hines arguably has some physical ground to cover before he’s in the shape to grapple with the big guys.
More than anything, Hines will be significant if Coach Thompson loses any of the depth in his lineup, a problem Georgetown faced at the end of last season. Whether or not he makes it onto the Verizon Center jumbotron, his journey represents another of the series of unique stories that together make up this year’s men’s team.
