Damon Stoudamire made some impressive transfers following a challenging season. With the fourth-ranked freshman class in the ACC for 2024, Georgia Tech has several new players who can have an immediate impact. After finishing 14-18 and placing 12th in the ACC last year, the team is poised to improve with a stronger lineup. The question now is: how far can Stoudamire lead this young team? Let’s take a look at Georgia Tech’s upcoming basketball season as the Yellow Jackets aim for a comeback.
Georgia Tech Basketball Preview: Yellow Jackets Primed to Thrive
As mentioned earlier, the 2023-2024 season was a letdown for the Yellow Jackets. Two decades after their only appearance in a national championship game, the team struggled mainly due to a lack of identity and star players. They were solid on the boards, ranking 55th in Division I with an average of 38.1 rebounds per game. Georgia Tech also secured three surprising victories against Duke, Clemson, and UNC, along with a strong non-conference win against Ole Miss. However, beyond these highlights, there weren’t many positives from last season. Looking forward, the 2024-2025 season looks promising with the transfers that Stoudamire has brought in. Additionally, there is still an open roster spot, so it’s possible another transfer could join the team.
Yellow Jacket Transfers
Javian McCollum, Duncan Powell, Luke O’Brien, and Ryan Mutombo will be joining the Yellow Jackets for the 2024-2025 season. McCollum, a highly sought-after transfer from Oklahoma, boasted an impressive 94.3% free throw percentage last year, ranking him second in the nation. He is expected to be one of the top transfers in the ACC and a player to watch. Powell comes to Georgia Tech after transferring from Sacramento State, where he averaged 7 rebounds per game, placing him 7th in the Big Sky Conference for the 2023-24 season. O’Brien makes the move from Colorado, having shot 37% from beyond the arc last season. Ryan Mutombo, son of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, transferred from Georgetown and is looking for more playing time after having limited opportunities as a Hoya.
Georgia Tech 2024 Freshman Class
Jaeden Mustaf, Darrion Sutton, and Doryan Onwuchekwa are the three freshmen joining Georgia Tech for the upcoming season. Mustaf is ranked 61st among high school prospects nationwide and 9th among combo guards. His father, Jerrod Mustaf, played four seasons in the NBA and currently serves as the CEO of the Street Basketball Association. Sutton also comes from Overtime Elite, where he averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds during the 2023-2024 season. His outside shooting is an area for improvement, but his ability to drive to the basket and his length should help him find playing time this season. Onwuchekwa, a center from Desoto, TX, stands 6-foot-10 and weighs 235 pounds. Coach Stoudamire is enthusiastic about his potential, noting:
“Doryan is one of the top shooting big men in the country. He’s really dedicated to improving his physique, which highlights his commitment to becoming the best player he can be. As he gains strength, he can have a lasting impact on our program.”
GT Schedule Preview
Georgia Tech’s only confirmed non-conference game is part of the SEC-ACC Challenge, where they will face Oklahoma. This matchup is particularly significant for transfer Javian McCollum, who played for Oklahoma last year. The two teams haven’t met since 1995, so there will be little familiarity between them. However, it should still prove to be a competitive game. As the 2024-2025 season approaches, Georgia Tech is expected to add more non-conference games, though their official schedule has yet to be announced. Regardless, the ACC is shaping up to be a challenging conference this year.
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