Easily the most highly touted of this year’s freshman class, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound guard from basketball factory Oak Hill Academy is expected to make an immediate impact for the Hoyas this season. He has already drawn numerous comparisons to Georgetown great Austin Freeman, including from his own high school coach Steve Smith, who told the Voice, “I think he’s better than Austin coming in there as a freshman. He’s quicker, he’s more mobile, and he’s athletically similar to Austin.” Look for Smith-Rivera to put his scoring prowess on display this season, and maybe even work his way into the starting lineup.
Stephen Domingo:
Every scouting report uses the same word to describe 6-foot-7 wing Domingo: smooth. After forgoing his senior year of high school, Domingo’s commitment was a pleasant surprise to the Hoya faithful, and his smooth (there it is) jump shot has already drawn comparisons to Hollis Thompson. His high school stats–only 13.3 points per game and five rebounds per game–are a little worrisome, but his inclusion on the FIBA U17 World Championship team is very encouraging. For Domingo to see any significant minutes this season, his shot will need to be on; if not, we may not see much of him until next season.
Bradley Hayes:
A 7-foot center from Jacksonville, Florida, Hayes is much better on defense than he is on offense. However, this does not come as a surprise; Hayes grew over 9 inches in three years during high school, and has yet to grow fully accustomed to his new physique. Hayes will be a key reserve for the Hoyas due to the squad’s dearth of big men, if he can manage to stay healthy and improve his raw offensive game considerably.
Brandon Bolden:
A 6-foot-10 center from Sumter, S.C., Bolden seems to be in the long-term plans for the Hoyas. Bolden’s athleticism may be his strong point, but he is a very raw talent, especially on the offensive end. Bolden is dangerous in the open court, as he runs the floor well and is widely known for his ferocious dunks. This season, he could prove to be a very capable defender off the bench for the Hoyas.
David Allen:
A 6-foot-2 guard and walk-on from Dallas, Allen could be the new garbage time fan favorite of the Hoya faithful. If Allen has any impact this year, it will be at the end of games where the Hoyas have a substantial lead.
