Uncertainty Lingers Around Status of Akok Akok

Transfer rumors keep popping up around the veteran shotblocker for the Hoyas, and a late transfer would be a major issue for Georgetown

The status of Akok Akok has flown under the radar since Patrick Ewing’s dismissal as head coach for much of the summer, but speculation about his intentions to stay at Georgetown or transfer remains, despite the regular season being only three months away.

The 6-foot-10 forward had a solid first season at Georgetown last year, averaging 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Heading into his second year as a Hoya, and his first year with Ed Cooley as his head coach, Akok was projected to play a key role in the Georgetown frontcourt, possibly as the team’s starting center.

But whether Akok is still at Georgetown when the regular season rolls around continues to be a question mark, and today’s picture posted to Ed Cooley’s Twitter account - with Akok missing - has only sparked further speculation.

As summer workouts wrap up for Georgetown and the players get a few weeks to go home and spend time with family before the semester starts, Akok was not present for what appears to be one of the final workouts of the summer session.

So what’s going on?

When Patrick Ewing was first dismissed, many were wondering what Akok and Jay Heath, two of the primary holdovers with remaining eligibility, would do.

Heath has remained committed to the program, and all signs indicate that he has not wavered since then. The signals with Akok, on the other hand, have been much more mixed.

Initially, after a few weeks post-Ewing announcement, I was told that Akok planned on returning to Georgetown.

However, around late April/early May, Akok removed Georgetown from his Instagram bio, which is never a good sign in this day and age with social media. Still, I was told that Georgetown expected Akok back, and he wasn’t showing signs to folks in the programs of wanting to transfer.

A few weeks ago, the transfer speculation started back up again with Akok in college basketball circles, and this time, the rumors seemed a little more concrete.

West Virginia, who has had an incredibly tumultuous offseason centered around the dismissal of head coach Bob Huggins, has been linked to Akok Akok in recent weeks. At the time, I posted this tweet hinting at the rumors that were making the rounds about Akok.

A top source indicated soon thereafter that while West Virginia was pushing for Akok, those close to Akok expected him to stay at Georgetown ultimately.

The status of West Virginia guard Jose Perez, however, was mentioned as an X-factor to me in Akok’s decision. Perez and Akok were teammates in high school, at Putnam Science Academy. I was told that if Perez stayed at West Virginia, then the chances of Akok transferring from Georgetown could increase.

At the time, a few weeks ago, Perez had not yet decided on remaining at West Virginia or entering the transfer portal, but since then, he has announced his decision to stay as a Mountaineer.

Now, Cooley’s picture is adding more smoke to a potential five-alarm fire for Georgetown.

Akok has played in Kenner League a couple times this summer, and was spotted at McDonough Arena last weekend as a spectator. He was also featured in a recent Georgetown Breakfast Club video posted to associate head coach Ivan Thomas’ social media pages, which many took as a positive sign about his status for this upcoming season.

But in the last 24 hours, many folks inside Georgetown have gone quiet about Akok’s status. It’s hard to get an answer right now on what his plan is, and if he is, after all, going to transfer.

Losing Akok would be a massive blow for a Georgetown team that is paper-thin in the frontcourt as is. Without the athletic shot-blocker on its roster, Georgetown would be left with Fairfield transfer Supreme Cook, junior center Ryan Mutombo, and freshman PF/C Drew Fielder in its frontcourt, with only three months until the regular season tips off.

At this moment, I’m hearing that West Virginia is continuing its attempts to woo Akok, and that this remains a fluid situation. With the team heading off for its summer break, one would think this situation is heading towards a resolution soon— one way or another.