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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia Tech may add two more basketball recruits to heralded class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech’s basketball recruiting class — four signees plus commitment Derrick Favors — ranks No. 4 nationally, according to Scout.com. But Tech is not done.
The Yellow Jackets hope to add one, and perhaps two, players in the signing period that starts April 15.
Their primary target is Brian Okam, a 6-feet-11, 245-pound center at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando. He took an official visit to Tech two weeks ago.
Okam transferred to Lake Highland from Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md., the school that sent Marvin Lewis to Tech in 2000. Okam is ineligible this season, but he’s getting instruction from former NBA forward Jeff Turner, Lake Highland’s coach.
Tech would have a second scholarship available if wing D’Andre Bell is not cleared to play. Bell underwent surgery in December to repair a spinal condition.
“Right now it looks like D’Andre will be back, but we won’t have final word on that for another two months,” coach Paul Hewitt said. “We need a big guy, and if D’Andre doesn’t come back, a wing who can attack the basket off the dribble.”
Tech has signed two four-star recruits, 6-1 point guard Mfon Udofia (Miller Grove) and 6-8 forward Kammeon Holsey (Hancock Central); and two three-star recruits, 6-4 wing Glen Rice (Walton) and 6-6 forward Brian Oliver (William Penn in New Castle, Del.).
Favors, a 6-9 center from South Atlanta, is Scout’s No. 1 player in the nation. He said he’ll sign in April.
“As good as our class is, we’re looking to see if there’s one more piece we can add to it to make it a great group,” Hewitt said.
Okam is the only big man Tech is targeting. As for wings, “there’s a wide range of kids we’re surveying and checking out, from high-rated guys to guys who are under the radar,” Hewitt said.
“But they all have one thing in common. They’ve got to get to the foul line, because that’s one of the things that’s been a difference in our close games this year.”
Of the signees, Hewitt said Rice has a chance to be the slasher Tech needs.
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball, Tech
Comments
By Just Do It. Fire Hewitt!
February 27, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t really matter who Tech signs. If Hewitt is still the coach, the team won’t make it passt the first round of the NCAA tournament. I don’t know why Hewitt cares about the guys getting to the free throw line since they can’t hit their shots anyway. They don’t like to get fouled because they know they can’t make them.
By You're an idiot^
February 27, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
Hey just fire Hewitt you’re an idiot. Hewitt already took them to the National title once he can do it again.
By true tech fan
February 27, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
hey fire hewitt… i know one thing your really an UGA fan …. just wishing you had this years tech season … you see the worst Bball season at tech would be a great season at UGA. oh and since we beat you in both football(45-42) and b-ball(JUST LIKE FOOTBALL..JUST LIKE FOOTBALL) and how is that boyscout commity looking for a new coach? …. ROFLOL
By JacketSteve
February 27, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
I’m not a fan of Hewitt’s coaching, but if he can bring in a class like this and back it up with good role players in the years to come, we could be building something big. We need to bring the Thrill back to the Thrillerdome!!!
By wayne
February 27, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this
Tech’s problem has never been getting great players it’s been keeping them longer than a year or two. No matter how good this class may be if they don’t stay - it doesn’t matter.
By Zach
February 27, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this
wayne is right, but that’s not Hewitt’s fault. Hopefully, bringing in this number of big recruits, some of them should stay at least.
Either way, pessimism helps nobody. People forget how unforgiving the ACC can be. Hopefully everyone’s learning from this. I’m excited to see these guys in action next year.
By UGA is so last year
February 27, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
Pls. Who cares. If history repeats, these recruits of Hewitt’s will be no different then the past. Can’t shoot the ball through the hoop, forget FREE throws, not even remotely fundamentally sound at the game and nothing more the street ball. Translates to more losses and more empty seats.
By UGA is so last year
February 27, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
Who are the 5 people going to the ACC tourney? Save your money!!!
By bh
February 28, 2009 2:48 AM | Link to this
It doesn’t seem wise that CPH took tech to final in less than 10 years and tech fires him.
By Rob
February 28, 2009 3:09 AM | Link to this
So if Tech were to have a perfect season next year, would that be enough for the Paul Hewitt haters to be happy? Bad seasons happen. Would maybe a 1 loss season be too much? 1 loss and he’s gone. That’s fair. This season was just too awful — sub-500 can only be balanced out by a perfect season. Especially since Tech was the only team in basketball to have a losing season.
By aw
February 28, 2009 5:50 AM | Link to this
Great job recruiting jackets! Is there any possible way you can now recruit a basketball coach? No big name is needed, just call Mark Price, he will coach them for free. Get a rabid fan from the stands,call Matt Harpring, call the cops, call somebody quick! Its an emergency! Help us—help us— we need someone who can motivate and teach, who can coach in the last minutes of the game, who knows when to call a time out, who can get more out of the players, who can teach free throw shooting 101——help
By mowreck
February 28, 2009 7:38 AM | Link to this
This my opinion about GT basketball and I have been following them since Rich Yunkus played (don’t know if I spelled his name right). But, on to the current stuff. I personally thing it is a bad thing for your team to recruit someone that isn’t going to stay a couple of years with the team. Because when they leave after one year you are rebuilding again. And no matter what anyone tells you it is VERY hard to win with freshmen in any league. This is what started GT’s downfall in basketball. I firmly believe that ANY COACH would have a problem with his team when that happens. Once you get in a loosing rut … it is awful hard to dig out. It could lead to miss free throws, 3 point shooting, turnovers, which would look like poor coaching. I can assure EVERYONE that coach Hewitts is doing the same thing in coaching as he did when we played for the national championship couple years back. Losing affect EVERYONE. Take Gani’s laps a couple games and you see what I mean. The best player we have looked like he hadn’t been on the floor before. We get this season over and can start fresh next year. But remember, we will lose Favors after one year and possible another player. Then we start ALL OVER AGAIN. I am tired of these “one and go” players we recruit, I would rather recruit five 3-star players, instead of all 4 and 5-star players. This way you have to really coach AND they will be with you at least 2 or more years. GO JACKETS!
By gtbabe
February 28, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
do not care who signs and what is going to happen next season…I’m done with this disgrace…this program has been mocked and been made a fool out of..no coach deserves to be there next season after what has gone on these past four yrs especially this season..you can tell me I’m wrong all you want but I’m not the only one that feels this way..You know Chan Gailey had a mediocre record and it wasn’t good enough and if he signed the greatest players in the country it stilled would have been mediocre at best. Why are all of you on here so eager to reward this shame? I’m aware of the buyout but GT cannot afford to NOT fire him either.
By gtbabe
February 28, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
do not care who signs and what is going to happen next season…I’m done with this disgrace…this program has been mocked and been made a fool out of..no coach deserves to be there next season after what has gone on these past four yrs especially this season..you can tell me I’m wrong all you want but I’m not the only one that feels this way..You know Chan Gailey had a mediocre record and it wasn’t good enough and if he signed the greatest players in the country it still would have been mediocre at best. Why are all of you on here so eager to reward this shame? I’m aware of the buyout but GT cannot afford to NOT fire him either.
By gtbabe
February 28, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this
do not care who signs and what is going to happen next season…I’m done with this disgrace…this program has been mocked and been made a fool out of..no coach deserves to be there next season after what has gone on these past four yrs especially this season..you can tell me I’m wrong all you want but I’m not the only one that feels this way..You know Chan Gailey had a mediocre record and it wasn’t good enough and if he signed the greatest players in the country it still would have been mediocre at best. Why are all of you on here so eager to reward this shame? I’m aware of the buyout but GT cannot afford to NOT fire him either. A coach who earns over a million a year should win this year and not look ahead to next season..that’s all any of you can talk about..it’s unacceptable
By Go Tech
February 28, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
Until Hewitt’s gone, it dosent matter who they sign. Got rid of Gailey, now we have a winner, get rid of Hewitt and we’ll be back in the top, then get rid of the baseball coach so the next one will make it to the tourney with all that talent
By wreckette
February 28, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
the coach makes over a million a year and you all are making excuses for his present and past record and looking forward to next season..yeah..rewarding bad behavior..that is the American way…count me out..no honor..no integrity…what a sham
By sav. fan
February 28, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
Hewitt is not responsible for the players bad decisions or poor free throw shooting. What’s he going to do, go to the bench. there’s no one there. Wait until next year when he has some talent and depth and you will see what a good coach he can be. Who do you think is resposible for landing the best recruiting class in the country anyway and Tech is not the easeist school to recruit to.
By sav. fan
February 28, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
Hewitt is not responsible for the players bad decisions or poor free throw shooting. What’s he going to do, go to the bench. there’s no one there. Wait until next year when he has some talent and depth and you will see what a good coach he can be. Who do you think is resposible for landing the best recruiting class in the country anyway and Tech is not the easeist school to recruit to.
By sav. fan
February 28, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
Hewitt is not responsible for the players bad decisions or poor free throw shooting. What’s he going to do, go to the bench. there’s no one there. Wait until next year when he has some talent and depth and you will see what a good coach he can be. Who do you think is resposible for landing the best recruiting class in the country anyway and Tech is not the easeist school to recruit to.
By Just do it. Fire Hewitt
February 28, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
Some of you idiots have forgotten that this isn’t Hewitt’s only bad season. This is his third bad season in the past four years. Tech had four seniors last season so the moron goes out and signs one player to replace four and the one he signed can’t shoot or dribble and has lost three games by himself in the final minutes this year. Sav fan you are correct that it isn’t his fault that the players make dumb decisions and can’t shoot. He doesn’t get paid $1.5 million to develop players. He gets paid to look nice in a suit and get guys into the NBA so he can get free tickets to NBA games in March when he should still be coaching. Lawal will leave after this year even though he is getting worse each week and then Favors will leave the next year. Then you people will be making excuses again about how Hewitt couldn’t know that these guys would leave early and it isn’t his fault that we are winning 13 games a year.
By shameonhewitt
February 28, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
Da#n right you are exactly right on JUST DO IT, as GT is getting their butt kicked by UNC in the 2nd half..over a million a year for this shame..even the season in 2005 when the entire National title team came back, NOTHING………….let’s see, GT is a pitiful crippled institution and it is hard to recruit here well shutup and be accoutable for your actions…I would rather see a Paul Johnson type coach who takes a bunch of ernest, hungry youngsters who no one else wanted and see what happens God
By chuck allison
February 28, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
Just for those defending Hewitt! He has a 26-68 road record since coming to Tech! No Opinion- just fact! That should be enough to end any defense anyone might make for him.
By kuschelbear
February 28, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
Yes, GT’s record over the past few years haven’t been great. The reason I’m not b*** and complaining about Hewitt is BECAUSE I KNOW THE CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVED WHICH BROUGHT THE PROGRAM TO IT’S CURRENT STATE.
Also, for those who don’t remember. We’re NOT UNC or DUKE. GT went to the Final Four in 1990. They didn’t make it past the Sweet 16 again until Hewitt came. So please stop acting like GT basketball is known for greatness and past glory.
One thing we all know is the Hewitt CAN BRING IN THE TALENT AND EVENTUALLY TURN THIS THING AROUND. So be patient, people.
By ArkyTech
February 28, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this
We’re not talkin about just one bad season. 4 of the past 8 have been losing seasons….as in not even good enough for the NIT.
And there are bad seasons, and then there are 1-13 ACC seasons with 2 McDonald’s All-Americans on the roster. We’re probably the only ACC team to EVER hold that distinction.
By shameonhewitt
February 28, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
oh so kushelbear knows the circumstances which brought the program to its current state..oh why didn’t you inform all of us about these circumstances before the season started.. we could have not only given Hewitt a 1.25 million dollar salary but could have also thrown in welfare, food stamps and free housing as well..another victim
By fred
February 28, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this
I only hope.
THWG!!!!
By qwerty1
February 28, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this
Hey - just saw where GT made ESPN’s power rankings - as in:
RE: UNC - “cellar-dweller Georgia Tech”
RE: Wake - “ACC bottom-feeders Georgia Tech and NC State”
Way to go round ballers!
By jcornett
February 28, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
As a believer of basketball fundamentals, this team should be casted into the “stooges! A commentator said that tech had a lot of talent, well, one win in the ACC,wow! For a school that had the likes of dennis scott, brian oliver, and in it’s archives rich yunkus, roger kaiser, “cowboy” buddy blemker”etc, It seems that Paul hewitt’s store is not with the good-great inventories(players).At least Fla State is winning some important games!This team is not merited of wearing the prestigious gold & white! GO JACKETS!!!!!
By jcornett
February 28, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this
As a believer of basketball fundamentals, this team should be casted into the “stooges! A commentator said that tech had a lot of talent, well, one win in the ACC,wow! For a school that had the likes of dennis scott, brian oliver, and in it’s archives rich yunkus, roger kaiser, “cowboy” buddy blemker”etc, It seems that Paul hewitt’s store is not with the good-great inventories(players).At least Fla State is winning some important games!This team is not merited of wearing the prestigious gold & white! GO JACKETS!!!!!
By jcornett
February 28, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this
As a believer of basketball fundamentals, this team should be casted into the “stooges! A commentator said that tech had a lot of talent, well, one win in the ACC,wow! For a school that had the likes of dennis scott, brian oliver, and in it’s archives rich yunkus, roger kaiser, “cowboy” buddy blemker”etc, It seems that Paul hewitt’s store is not with the good-great inventories(players).At least Fla State is winning some important games!This team is not merited of wearing the prestigious gold & white! GO JACKETS!!!!!
By Mell
February 28, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
As a Tech fan since the early 50’s I am proud of the way it conducts itself on and off the athletic venues. I am as disappointed in this year’s basketball situation as anyone, but I really think Coach Hewitt is still the man.
With good recruiting (looks great so far) we will be back in the hunt in the next two years if not this coming year.
Hang on Jackets, the good times will be back soon!! Congrats to Coach Johnson for standing up for what he believes in the case of the recruit that was “committed” but chose to visit Auburn. I am proud of the way our coaches conduct business!! MG
By shameonhewitt
February 28, 2009 8:42 PM | Link to this
Chan Gailey won an ACC coastal division title but the majority of Tech fans weren’t satisfied with the continued mediocrity and it was the right decision..I will not accept this basketball program or coach just because the team played in the national title game back in 2004. The salary is just too high for five years of nothingness shoved down my throat, I am a graduate, fan, and alumni donor as well but Mell your not going to tell me to hang on, nobody is going to sell me this bill of goods..Honestly, it should have been over last season..
By newdirection
February 28, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this
MARK PRICE MARK PRICE MARK PRICE MARK PRICE MARK PRICE
By DAWES
March 1, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
i liked way ga tech is playing this year way to go tech i am proud of your keep it up
By BravesFan79
March 1, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this
If GT football had a terrible offense…. whos head would you be calling for? The Offensive coordinatior!
Experienced assistant football coaches are viewed as VERY important……. this program fell down because Hewitt thought he could do without great assistants! Since the 2 assistants left after the final 4 run….. we have had talented teams… but always underperformed!
The answer pple is to KEEP Hewitt as head man, and bring in the BEST assistants $$ can buy!!
Bring in someone thats a old retired coach …that has that itch to come back. A Mr Olsen (Arizonas old coach) or a Lefty Drisel (Ga states old coach) , or my favorite choice that would never happen… Bob Knight.
Imagine… the recruiting ability of a Hewitt, the coaching ability of a Knight!
By newdirectionnow
March 1, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
how bout somebody that knows how to recruit and coach, surely for a million dollars a year, GT can find somebody
By Jacket 56
March 1, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this
Good comments by mowreck. STOP recruiting superstars and focus your attention on good solid players who want to play COLLEGE basketball. I will disagree about Hewitt though. Outside of the 2004 season, what has he done? A couple of tournament appearences that ended very quickly. We look completely clueless on offense, there doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason to what we are trying to do to score. The 2004 team was successful because they had guys who had stayed in school and formed a chemistry. No great superstars on that team, just good solid players. Rad will get rid of Hewitt, its just a matter of when. Probably will be after next season. This recruiting class bought him one more year, but Rad wants to continue to put his stamp on GT.
By GTsn
March 2, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
Thank you BravesFan79. I have been saying that for years and you are the first other person I have ever heard mention the loss of key assistants after the Final Four run. Hewitt can obviously recruit but he is evidently not a good coach. He still runs an offense designed for Anthony McHenry at the PF spot, who was actually a PG in high school, and could pass, dribble, and key the offense with a mismatch at the top of the key. Now we have Zach Peacock or Alade Aminu trying to do the same thing and not able to do anything but pass off to a guard. Insanity! We need to keep Hewitt for recruiting and get my old high school basketball coach to teach fundamentals (Eddie Martin ex-Brookwood HS).
By Jackets1378
March 2, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
Hewitt has been hampered by injuries and stupidity over the last 3 years. No one expected Crittenton to leave, and it was a dumb decision on his part. This is evident by the fact that he is averaging roughly 5-10 minutes per game for the Memphis Grizzlies. Because of this, he was stuck without a point guard last year. This year, Resean Dickey decided he wanted to go play in Europe, and D’andre Bell injured his back in a freak accident on the court. No, Hewitt has not won many basketball games in the past two years, but look at what the man has been up against. Trying to make a top 5 shooting guard play point guard (Iman Shumpert), replacing not only a solid defensive player, but also the best leader the team has in D’andre Bell. And everyone keeps talking about how Hewitt should stop recruiting big name players, that are sure to be one and done. We have recruited ONE OUT OF FIVE players that is to be one and done next year, and he is surely a player that can greatly assist us in making a run to at least the sweet 16 next year. The rest are role players that are going to fit nicely into Hewitt’s “run and gun” system. That is the game that he likes to play, and with Mo Miller running the point, that’s a difficult offense to run. Mo is a back-up point guard, and will assume such a role next year, when ballihooed PG Mfon Udofia steps onto campus. I promise, next year will be much better, and will have a nice mesh of the freshman athleticism and excitement of Derrick Favors and Kammeon Holsey mixed with the experience of Gani Lawal and Iman Shumpert. Be patient jackets, and watch out ACC. Because I believe that next year’s Georgia Tech squad will mirror the young but talented squad of this year’s Wake Forest.