Isaac Copeland: Forward, 6-9, 220 lbs, Raleigh, NC
The most highly-touted of the incoming freshmen is Copeland. It is hard not to envision him as the next in a line of lanky bigs to find success for Georgetown. At 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, no one is calling him Jeff Green or Otto Porter just yet, those proclamations can wait until he plays a game or two, but Copeland has the promise to be a player of that caliber. Copeland likes to get the ball in the high post and face up to his man, allowing him to either drive past slow-footed big men or shoot over shorter defenders. Not the strongest player, he may initially find it difficult to create offense against bigger, more physical opposition.
JTIII Says: “He can play inside and he can play outside. I think he can guard multiple positions. Isaac is a very good rebounder.”
L.J. Peak: Guard, 6-5, 215 lbs, Gaffney, SC
Copeland may be the marquee prospect, but Peak is the most fun to watch. He will likely be used as a ball-handler and a spark for the offense when needed off the bench. His quick first step and leaping ability make him a nightmare for defenders when he attacks the rim, and if he can develop a consistent jump-shot he could eventually develop into a near-unstoppable offensive threat. That being said, he may have trouble transitioning his aggressive style of play to the collegiate level, where he will not be able to dominate the opposition physically like he did in high school. On a team that lacks ball-handlers, fans should get used to seeing Peak playing important minutes.
JTIII Says: “We have five freshmen and three or four of them are going to be thrown right into the mix from the beginning… I wouldn’t be surprised if two or three months from now if it was L.J.”
Tre Campbell: Guard, 6-2, 170 lbs, Washington, D.C.
A St. John’s College High School product, Campbell is the only member of the team who hails from Washington, D.C. He should have the chance to fight for playing time, since he is the only true point guard on the roster, and will immediately become D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera’s backup. To merit the minutes that will likely come his way, Campbell needs to demonstrate that he can adjust to the speed of college basketball. His jump shot could eventually become a weapon, but was streaky throughout his high school career. Campbell has the quickness to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim, but the greater concern will be his ability to bring the ball up the court and distribute to the multiple scorers.
JTIII Says: “Tre has been very good. I think the transition from high school to college is very difficult regardless of position, regardless of whether you play a sport or not. Everything’s heightened.”
Paul White: Forward, 6-8, 228 lbs, Chicago, IL
Yet another lanky swingman, White could make a difference early on for the Hoyas. Not as electrifying as Peak, White makes up his lack of flash by having a more polished, complete skill set. In high school, he was lethal from mid-range, and now it must be seen whether he can also consistently make three-pointers. But he is more than just a shooter, as he White can finish strong at the rim. While not the flashiest player in this group, White should do all of the little things right. This, combined with his length and still-impressive athleticism, should make him an especially reliable contributor to the Hoyas’ efforts this season.
JTIII Says: “Paul White has got an old soul. When you talk about who’s going to be point guard, we could put Paul back there without a hiccup. He can do a lot in a game. He can throw passes, he can score, and he’s used to winning a lot.”
Trey Mourning: Forward, 6-9, 217 lbs, Miami, FL
Yes, he is the son of Georgetown legend Alonzo Mourning, but Trey is a capable player in his own right. On defense, he can protect the rim like his father did, but his game differs from the elder Mourning’s on the offensive end. He likes to get the ball on the wing and attack from there, stretching the defense with his shooting ability. Because of this redundancy at the wing, with Copeland, White and Mourning occupying similar roles, Mourning likely have to wait to see serious playing time.
JTIII Says: “There’s not much on the court but he’s great from the field. He can really shoot. But he’s not used to playing with the bodies that are out there that he has to play against every day.”
