Familiar Faces in Threads
By: Nicolas Rioja
In this new age of college basketball, the ability to manage a roster has become as important as the X’s and O’s. Look no further than last year’s March Madness, and see that the impacts of Davion Mitchell (Baylor, transfer) and Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, freshman)lifted their respective teams from good to great. So great, in fact, that they led their teams to the National Championship game. Finding impact transfers and high-level freshmen is essential because these players transform programs. Think of a talented transfer who pushes a team from 15 wins the year before to 20 wins or a freshman whose shot-blocking ability allows the coach to play advantageous lineups in battles against conference foes. This year, there are several of these impact players with ties to UGA and Georgia Tech. We take a look, both at what these players bring to the table individually, and how they change the outlook of their teams.
Impactful transfers
Deivon Smith
Deivon Smith has the potential to vault Georgia Tech to another level. Deivon played his true freshman season at Mississippi State, and although the season surely didn’t go as he planned, he finished on the right note by finishing with a 17 point game against Memphis in the NIT. What Deivon lacks in size he makes up for in athleticism, a true high flyer and freak athlete who uses an array of moves to finish at the tin. His dribble is clean, the shooting stroke is solid, and he is a force in transition because of his speed and body control. Smith also has a healthy amount of defensive potential; his advanced defensive numbers were above average, and his quick feet and hands suggest plenty of room for growth on that end. He struggled to adjust to the college game at times, but I chalk this up to growing pains. There’s no doubt he is a special player with the ball in his hands, and Tech does not need him to be a hero either. The team surrounding him is already solid (though weak in the post), but if “Sneak” plays to his capabilities, the Yellow Jackets are looking at another successful season and possible NCAA Tournament berth.
KD Johnson
KD Johnson is as pure of a scorer as there is in the SEC. Johnson had an impressive freshman campaign for the Georgia Bulldogs, putting up an impressive 13.5 ppg and shot 39% from three. After the season, KD chose to leave his home state and transfer to Auburn, joining a team with fellow Atlanta natives Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith. In his new situation, KD won’t have nearly as much free reign as he did at UGA, but this means that there will be more difference-makers around him to lighten the load off of Johnson’s shoulders. There is a role on this Auburn team for KD to fill. He can truly score from anywhere, and if there is a player you feel comfortable giving the ball to in late-clock situations, KD is it. Johnson is special when finishing through contact and shooting off the catch. More importantly, he possesses an intense fire that gives him an edge over the opponent and can be infectious to his teammates. Every team would love a dynamic scorer at the 2-guard position as offensively gifted as KD, and if he can find the right role within his new squad, he will make an instant splash at Auburn.
Tye Fagan
One of the most efficient guards in the SEC, Tye Fagan opted to transfer from UGA to Ole Miss in April. In his junior season, Fagan started 25 games for the Bulldogs, averaging 9 points on nearly 59%(!) from the field, including 67% on a high volume of two-pointers. Tye is excellent at finishing around the basket and creating open space for himself, but this is not the limit of his game. With his length, he is an abnormally good rebounder for a guard, especially on the offensive glass, and he can be a reliable secondary ball handler. Most importantly, his play has exponentially and markedly improved; each year, Fagan earns more minutes and more points and plays smarter basketball. An aspect of his game where Fagan can improve the most is in his outside shooting, rarely taking three-pointers and struggling from the foul line. However, there are no glaring holes in the fundamentals of his shot, and increased confidence combined with more playtime could lead to further development in that area. Ole Miss lost leading scorer Devontae Shuler to the NBA, and with plenty of minutes to go around in the backcourt, Fagan has an opportunity to break out. The advanced offensive statistics are in his favor, and in a new situation, Tye Fagan has the chance to take both his game and Ole Miss to the next level.
Incoming freshmen
Deebo Coleman
Deebo Coleman is the highest-rated high schooler of the Georgia Tech recruiting class. Coleman was honored as Florida’s “Mr. Basketball”, and was rated a consensus 4* prospect who selected the Jackets over Florida, Florida State, and Ole Miss. He is the most likely to see significant minutes of the three Tech freshmen because of his best attributes: his size and his shooting ability. Measuring in at a stout 6’6” 210 lbs, Deebo already comes into college with a D1 body, and his shooting ability sets him apart. He has a simple, silky smooth release with tremendous balance and a slight dip in his stroke that allows him to keep in a perfect rhythm, whether off the catch or off the bounce. Deebo can fill it up; he shoots off of either hand and has little issue shooting in traffic. Range is no problem either; he will not hesitate to launch from far behind the line with just as much confidence as a wide-open layup. The most significant influence on his playtime will be his effect on the defensive end. Is he hungry? Will he adjust to the speed of the game and maintain sound fundamentals? Can he fight over screens and limit mental lapses when guarding off-ball? If the answer to these questions is yes, Georgia Tech has a special player on its hands.
Cam McDowell
Cam McDowell is a McEachern product who committed to Georgia over Virginia Tech. Standing at 6’5”, the southpaw played a complementary role as a junior on a team led by current Atlanta Hawks guard Sharife Cooper, so he slid under the radar slightly in the recruiting process. Though many anticipated that McEachern might take a large step back given the losses of major talents, McDowell marked his own path by stepping into a leadership role and doing a little bit of everything for his team, leading the Indians to the state semifinals while averaging a stout 21 points and 8 rebounds per game. Cam is just what the Bulldogs need: a winner who has a knack for making timely plays that keep his team in ballgames and a guard who fits the mold of a bucket-getter. Like KD Johnson, scoring is his best attribute, but the two have different bodies and go about their games in different ways. Whereas KD uses his strong upper body to force his way to his spots, McDowell uses his handle and craft to find weak points in the defense. At UGA, he joins a roster filled with question marks, meaning there are plenty of minutes and plenty of opportunities for Cam to make his mark right away.
Christian Wright
A former Milton High School and TSF standout, Christian Wright is another member of Tom Crean’s 2021 recruiting class at Georgia. Wright tore his labrum during his senior season, taking him off the radar of many schools and leaving his basketball future uncertain. He showed off his resiliency by taking a post-grad year and playing tremendous basketball, averaging a whopping 27 points per game. He committed to Coach Rick Pitino and Iona - a coach who knows how to evaluate talent - but the allure of playing for a Power 5 team in his home state was too much. Christian is a tenacious defender and solid playmaker who showed the confidence and form to shoot from long range while also having the ability to break people down and finish in traffic. He has a presence with the ball in his hands and keeps a steady demeanor on the court at all times. Just like with Cam McDowell, minutes for Wright are there for the taking on this UGA squad. With his skills, he has a chance to be an immediate contributor but has enough room for growth that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him as a high-level floor general for Georgia in a few years.
