Sources: Mohammed, Riley Expected to Return to Georgetown; Further Roster Departures Coming
The transfers have begun for Georgetown, but two key young players are expected to return for their sophomore seasons.
Georgetown men’s basketball announced on Wednesday afternoon that freshmen Tyler Beard and Jalin Billingsley, along with junior center Timothy Ighoefe, are transferring from the program.
The moves open up three scholarship roster spots on the roster for Patrick Ewing and his soon-to-be-revamped coaching staff to go out and fill in the coming weeks.
While 40% of Georgetown’s talented freshman class is now gone, freshmen guards Aminu Mohammed and Jordan Riley are both expected to return to Georgetown for their sophomore season next year.
Riley, who suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder and missed most of the season, has been busy rehabbing the injury, and is trying to complete his rehab in time to play in Kenner League this summer. Monty Riley, Jordan’s father, confirmed via text to Hilltop Hoops on Wednesday that Riley will be returning to Georgetown for his sophomore season.
Multiple sources close to the program indicate that Mohammed, the former five-star recruit, is also planning on returning to Georgetown for his sophomore season. The return of Mohammed, an unanimous selection to the Big East All-Freshman Team this season, would be a significant boost for a Georgetown team that needs to retain (and add) as much talent as it can this offseason.
It’s not known at this time, however, if Mohammed may still declare for the NBA Draft in hopes of garnering direct feedback from NBA executives that could help him elevate his draft stock during his sophomore season.
When reached for comment via text message on Wednesday, Mohammed’s guardian, Shawn Harmon, had the following to say about Mohammed’s decision regarding his sophomore season.
“We really have no comments on Aminu’s status for next season. It’s a family matter and it will be handled that way. We have always been pretty private when it comes to those types of decisions and that will continue,” wrote Harmon.
“Georgetown is an awesome school, great faculty, and Aminu is loved by all coaching staff and academic staff. Any info that you might receive in regards to his status that does not come from myself or Aminu is very questionable. In due time it will be addressed!!!”
With Riley returning and the chances of Mohammed returning also looking good, next season’s roster is coming into focus a bit. However, despite the transfers that were announced today, further departures from the roster are still expected in the coming days.
Multiple sources indicate that five players in total are currently expected to depart from the roster. With three having left today, that leaves two more left to be announced.
While Hilltop Hoops won’t speculate on the identity of which players are left to leave, sources believe that one departure will not be via transfer portal.
With Mohammed, the only prospect on the roster that could realistically turn pro, expected to stay, that means one player on the roster could be leaving the team and staying at the school, or shifting into an off-court role with the team. The identity of this player, at present, is unconfirmed.
Regardless, it is expected that at least two further scholarship spots will open up on the roster, leaving Georgetown with five roster spots to play with this offseason. Two of those spots will be earmarked for Brandon Murray and Efton Reid, who are priority targets for the coaching staff currently. The one thing that could hurt Georgetown’s chances with both prospects, and others this offseason, is NIL opportunities. Can Georgetown pony up, or convince top talent to bypass more lucrative NIL offers to come to Georgetown? That remains to be seen.
In addition to Murray and Reid, Georgetown also has interest in former LSU commit and five-star prospect Julian Phillips. The Hoyas’ chances with Phillips are not known at this time, but Georgetown continues to swing for the fences with elite prospects in hopes of a quick turnaround next season.
Does this mean Ryan Mutombo is leaving?
Only Tyler was impressive but most Georgetown transfers turn into duds elsewhere. They messed up. Especially Timothy. What idiots. Tyler might be fine but the other 2 will mostly fall by the wayside.