Welcome to my team preview series for 2024-25. Each day between now and the start of the college basketball season, I will preview one team or conference, both on Instagram (@collegehoopsoutlet) and through an article here. The preview will go in-depth on the roster build of the team, my expectations for their upcoming season, and the state of the program under their current head coach.
Georgia Tech (Projected: 10th in ACC)
Damon Stoudamire had one of the wildest seasons in the country last year in his first season at Georgia Tech. His Yellow Jackets went 14-18 but won games over Duke (H), Clemson (A), UNC (H), and Wake Forest (A). Heading into 2024-25, the expectations will be set at an improved record, but consistency might be the limiting factor for this Georgia Tech squad.
Five players return to the Georgia Tech program in 2024-25, three starters from last season’s team and two players who redshirted. My favorite returner is sophomore guard Naithan George (10 ppg, 5 apg). George is an elite passer and was a quietly good freshman season. If he can take a jump up as a sophomore in every aspect of his game, especially his three-point shot making ability, he will be one of the best guards in the ACC.
Baye Ndongo (12 ppg, 8 rpg) is widely considered the best returner at Georgia Tech, a sophomore just like George. Ndongo is a monster on the boards, especially the offensive glass, and was extremely efficient as a scorer last season. Ndongo has his own eyes set on a breakout this season, one that would likely place him on the All-ACC first team as a premier big. Senior wing Kowacie Reeves Jr (10 ppg, 4 rpg) is the final returner who played last season, an all-around forward who can space the floor and defend at a solid level. To round out the returners, Lance Terry (10 ppg in 2023) will return to the rotation after missing last season due to injury and Ibrahim Souare (Redshirt) will begin his playing career after redshirting his first year at Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets lost nine players this offseason, none bigger than guard Miles Kelly (14 ppg, 6 rpg), who transferred to Auburn. The other guards in the backcourt on their way out are Kyle Sturdivant (9 ppg), Dallan Coleman (6 ppg), Amaree Abram (3 ppg), and Carter Murphy (2 ppg). The frontcourt lost Tyzhaun Claude (5 ppg, 5 rpg), Tafara Gapare (5 ppg, 4 rpg), Ibrahima Sacko (2 ppg), and Ebenezer Dowuona (1 ppg).
To offset the losses, Damon Stoudamire dabbled in the transfer portal, landing four transfers. The biggest name transferring in is Oklahoma guard Javian McCollum (13 ppg, 3 apg at Oklahoma). McCollum wasn’t the most efficient scorer last season at Oklahoma, but will have a place as another ball handler in the backcourt next to Naithan George. The addition of McCollum takes some pressure off of George, and the other big addition can make up for the lack of shooting from the other two. Luke O’Brien (7 ppg, 4 rpg at Colorado) is the other big addition, a likely starter on the wing. O’Brien didn’t have to be much of a scorer at Colorado while playing with three NBA Draft picks on the roster, but is an efficient shooter (37.6% 3P) and a solid all-around player. If O’Brien doesn’t start, returner Lance Terry (38.8% 3P) likely will, either or both bringing the ability to space the floor.
The two other transfers brought in by Stoudamire will both likely be bench pieces in the Yellow Jackets’ rotation. Duncan Powell (12 ppg, 7 rpg at Sacramento State) was efficient last season (49.2% FG) while being the leading scorer on a bad Sacramento State team. He’ll bring collegiate experience and a scoring punch off the bench for Georgia Tech this season at the four. Center Ryan Mutombo (1 ppg at Georgetown) rounds out the transfers, a veteran big man who has seen limited time the past three seasons at Georgetown, with his averages decreasing each year.
Three four-stars enter the ranks at Georgia Tech after a fantastic year on the recruiting trail by Coach Stoudamire. Guard Jaedan Mustaf (4*, NAT 56) enters the depth chart in the backcourt and should see decent minutes off the bench from day one. In the frontcourt, forward Darrion Sutton (4*, NAT 89) and center Doryan Onwuchekwa (4*, NAT 110) join the lineup and should be in the rotation as freshmen.
Damon Stoudamire has plenty of high points to show recruits from year one, but will need his team to be more consistent to be a contender in the ACC. The future looks bright under Stoudamire though, with a great incoming freshman class and two stud sophomores returning to the program.
Baye Ndongo could have a seismic breakout this season and become an all-conference player for the Yellow Jackets, certainly becoming their standout player. My X-factors for this Georgia Tech team though are Naithan George and Javian McCollum. Both are good point guards and I’m very excited to see George in his sophomore season, but at least one of them needs to add a more consistent three-point shot for the Yellow Jackets to compete for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Outside of UNC and Duke, I feel that the top 15 teams in the ACC are relatively close to each other. With George, Ndongo, and Reeves returning from last year’s team, I’m confident in a quick start for the Yellow Jackets this season and more consistent play come ACC play. I’ve got Georgia Tech finishing 10th in the 18-team ACC, but I think if this team reaches their ceiling they can be closer to 4th or 5th.