Who’s the Best Hoya?
Let’s set things straight: Roy Hibbert is the Hoyas’ most valuable player. He is the center of their Princeton offense in both position and focus. But even if their system would struggle mightily without him, Hibbert isn’t a lock as the best overall player on JTIII’s team.
Here are the five nominees:
Roy Hibbert – 12.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 62% FG, 2.1 bpg
DaJuan Summers – 11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.2 spg, 48% FG, 37% 3FG
Jonathan Wallace – 10.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 53% FG, 51% 3FG
Austin Freeman – 9.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 59.5% FG, 92% FT, 44% 3FG
Jessie Sapp – 9.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 47% FG
It’s a much tighter race with the Hoyas than it was with the Jayhawks. While Hibbert’s 17-point, 11-rebound night against DePaul was the leading performance, it’s tough to say that Big Boy Roy is one of the best basketball players on this team. His success is a direct result of his size – not his skill. But shouldn’t someone who is 7-2 produce more than just over six rebounds a game? Hibbert’s size counts against him in this case.
Austin Freeman will eventually be the best player on the GTown roster, but that day is yet to arrive. Freeman posted 18.6 minutes per game through his first six games, finding his role without subjecting the squad to any growing pains. His minutes and production have shot up since as he’s logged 26.4 minutes per night over his last seven. His accurate shooting (59.5% FG, 92% FT) might be the Hoyas’ secret weapon as Big East opponents hone in on Hibbert.
Jessie Sapp executes the back-door cut as well as anyone in the nation. His much-improved three-point shooting (from 29% last season to 40% this year) forces defenses to respect him on the perimeter and helps to make those sneaky slips to the basket a bit sneakier. But Sapp also turns the ball over more than any of his teammates: 2.5 per game is too costly.
Earlier this season, John Thompson III called his senior guard Jonathan Wallace the best point guard in the nation. While I don’t agree with that at all, Wallace is a smart passer who rarely turns the ball over. As of late, his three-point shooting has skyrocketed too. He’s 12-for-16 from deep during his last four. But as his points have touched double-figures, his assists have dropped (four in his last four).
DaJuan Summers ultimately gets the nod. Though he had a down game against DePaul (6 points, 3 rebounds), Summers had rattled off eight straight games in double-figures. He plays hard on both sides of the floor (1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks) and is the only Hoya who is versatile enough to play multiple positions. Who else on this squad has the tools to knock down a three and then outmuscle his man in the post on the next possession? Best of all, he protects the ball incredibly well for someone who gets as many touches as he does (1.5 TO per game).
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January 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
GEE ...I also sacked Colt Brennan says:
All that and a bottle of Don P.
I got to go with Summers. Dude can get hot and give it to you. All around type guy.
Hibbert is certainly the focus but no Summers and I don’t see them advancing to deep in the brackets.
Hooooooyyyaaaasssssss!
January 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Austin Burton says:
You’re right about most of this. Roy is the team’s MVP, Wallace would be second on that list, and Summers is the best overall talent. Ever since I saw Summers at the Jordan Brand All-American game I liked his style. He can be a Jeff Green Lite in that he does everything reasonably well. Either him or Roy will end up being the best NBA player of this group..
My question: What’s up with Vernon Macklin. He was supposed to be the star recruit the year Summers came in, but I can’t say I was too impressed with him in high school and I still haven’t seen it from him at GU.
Either way, my Hoyas are taking the ‘chip this year.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
MiCkeY MoNDaY says:
DaJuan Summers easy….
January 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
hoya saxa says:
Jon Wallace is the go to guy with Green in the pros. Whenever they need a basket, its Wallace. JTIII has been trying to rotate in the young cats, but if the comp gets too close, Wallace is inserted takes the shot and is almost automatic. Summers has a pretty shot, but Wallace has that Glen Rice arch and nothing but net.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Andrew says:
I like Wallace too and honestly didn’t know that he could shoot this well until his last four games.
I think he’ll find his way into the League along with Summers and Hibbert of course. Freeman’s not a one and done guy so he’ll be around for at least another year. Reggie, I mean, Jessie Sapp though? He’s not an NBA player.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
GEE ...I also sacked Colt Brennan says:
The girls look soooo good but their brains are not ready…Chi Ali
Austing I am just like you on that. I will say that I know V. Mac has had time to shine as far as tic and games played, he’s just not where you, me and a lot of people thought he would be. Perhaps as the season goes he will break out.
Bulldoggin NI%%$@ like them Georgetown Hoyas – Big Boi
January 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
doc says:
Im going with summers
January 10th, 2008 at 1:16 am
JRmessiah says:
Wallace is the best damm player he is what his coach said the BEST POINT GUARD
A POINT GUARD IS SOMEONE WHO FASILATE THE OFFENSE GETS PEOPLE OPEN AND STRETCH THE OFFENSE WHN NEEDED AND TURNS BALL OVA VERY RARELY!!!….. wallace shoots 50% frm the three that shoot is a mid range in the NBA he will be the perfect PG for a team Like Phoenix end of 1st round or Mid 2nd we all seen how important this guy was to this team this summer in NCAA TOURNAMENT
January 10th, 2008 at 1:16 am
JRmessiah says:
Wallace is the best damm player he is what his coach said the BEST POINT GUARD
A POINT GUARD IS SOMEONE WHO FASILATE THE OFFENSE GETS PEOPLE OPEN AND STRETCH THE OFFENSE WHN NEEDED AND TURNS BALL OVA VERY RARELY!!!….. wallace shoots 50% frm the three that shoot is a mid range in the NBA he will be the perfect PG for a team Like Phoenix SUNS end of 1st round or early 2nd we all seen how important this guy was to this team this summer in NCAA TOURNAMENT
January 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
GEE ...Can the NBA have a 4 point line? says:
Summers is the best. Not to take anything away from the others but Summers. Look for Summers in the L.