Which transfer will have the biggest impact for Georgia Tech this season?

Georgia Tech Basketball has been very active in the offseason under Damon Stoudamire as they aim to achieve more victories in the 2024-2025 season. Stoudamire successfully recruited one of the top high school classes in the ACC and secured the commitment of four transfers with the potential to make a significant impact through the transfer portal. Alongside the returning star freshmen Baye Ndongo and Nait George, the Yellow Jackets are poised to make progress in Stoudamire’s second season.

Which of the four transfers are expected to have the greatest impact? 247Sports analyst Isaac Trotter shared his insights on each of the incoming transfers for the upcoming season for the Yellow Jackets.

Javian McCollum, from Oklahoma

Expected role: Starting combo guard.

McCollum is an outstanding player. He excelled as one of the top scorers in pick-and-roll situations nationwide last year, despite being part of an undermanned Oklahoma team. He possesses remarkable dynamism when creating scoring opportunities and can take on the role of Georgia Tech’s primary ball-handler or serve as a lethal spot-up shooter alongside Nait George. McCollum’s 31% 3-point shooting may not fully reflect his capabilities, as he often had to take difficult shots as Oklahoma’s go-to option in late-clock situations. For instance, he only made 4 of 24 attempted 3-pointers with less than four seconds remaining on the shot clock. With some subtle adjustments to his game, McCollum has the potential to become one of the top guards in the ACC.

Luke O’Brien, from Colorado

Expected role: Likely starting forward.

O’Brien has experience playing alongside highly skilled basketball players. He is a wing player with a low usage rate who excels in an off-ball role, serving as a link between his teammates. O’Brien’s 3-point shooting percentage exceeds 37%, and he showcases outstanding ability as a cutter, often finding himself open near the rim. His game is filled with instances of making sharp cuts to the basket. While O’Brien isn’t particularly adept at creating his own scoring opportunities, this won’t be a primary aspect of his role within the Georgia Tech team. Additionally, O’Brien may not be considered a standout defender, but he certainly holds his own on that end of the court.

Duncan Powell, from Sacramento State

Expected role: Wing rotation.

Powell’s abilities are quite evident. He excels as an offensive rebounder and is capable of making an impact in post-up situations. At 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, his passing skills are intriguing as well. However, in order to truly stand out at the high-major level, he needs to enhance his shooting prowess. In the previous season, Powell only made 14 3-pointers in 27 games, shooting at a 29% accuracy. Opposing defensive teams did not aggressively contest his shots from beyond the arc.

Ryan Mutombo, from Georgetown

Expected role: Backup center.

Georgia Tech didn’t have a player standing 7 feet tall on the team, but now Mutombo has filled that gap. The 7-foot-2, 265-pound center possesses a significant physical presence, yet he faced challenges securing a spot in the regular lineup at Georgetown. It is probable that he will now fill in as the backup at the center position behind the talented sophomore Baye Ndongo.

I agree with the assessments. I believe that McCollum and George have the potential to become one of the top backcourt duos in the ACC this season, although I am concerned about their defensive abilities. O’Brien will bring an ability to spread the floor, and he may have plenty of open shot opportunities with George as his point guard. Powell, being experienced, is likely to excel in various crucial aspects of the game.

With McCollum, George, Ndongo, and O’Brien on the team, he won’t be required to contribute much in terms of scoring, but it would be significant if his three-point shooting improves. Mutombo has the potential to provide impactful minutes for the Yellow Jackets due to his size and shot-blocking ability, which addresses a previously identified need for Georgia Tech. When combined with the incoming freshmen, Georgia Tech’s roster holds promise for the upcoming season.