Georgetown Hoyas '25/'26 Season Preview via Globl Jam

James "I.V." Williams
Sep 18
15 min read

Updated: Sep 19

During the duration, of this past years iteration, of Globl Jam, our Canadian based contributor, Layth Dahman, had the opportunity to gain an first hand, preview, of what type of competitive nature to expect from this upcoming season's Hoyas, as they were the collegiate program that represented the U.S, for the event. Upon analyzing each game of the tournament, and based on this impressive team outing, and the overall performance, against top level competition, from the likes of both Professional (NBB, / B. League) and Division 1 (SEC, Big East, Big 12, etc.) athletes, as well as leaving the tournament with a second place finish, in a heartbreaker to Brazil in the final game, there is a lot of optimism in what each individual player can contribute to the programs performance, and how well this eclectic roster, can lean on their strength's, and together, to exceed preseason expectations, and rise up against a stacked Big East Conference.

Style of Play:

Georgetown is a team that likes to play fast. In the open court, they have many athletes

that are quick, explosive, and run the floor well, allowing them to outrun the other team

and get many easy fast-break points. They also create offense off their defense by

getting into passing lanes and getting steals and deflections, which enables them to

push the pace and capitalize on easy opportunities. In the half-court, they are a very

heavy pick and roll offensive team, setting the tone. The pick and roll ball-handlers and

bigs are very in sync in the pick and roll and have an effective 2 man game that teams

have a hard time stopping. At the start of the game, they start with feeding the bigs and

getting them high percentage looks inside so they stay engaged. The roll man will roll

deep into the paint and put pressure on the defense in the pick and roll coverage or set

a pick and play back to the basket with a post up. Later in the game, the pick and roll

ball-handler looks to get into space and attack mismatches and switches. They have

pick and roll ball-handlers and guards who thrive getting downhill, changing speed and

direction, and bigs who set good hard picks, freeing up the pick and roll ball-handler to

get to their spots. They also have a major size advantage against teams, allowing them

to play out of the post. From positions 3 to 5, they are a threat using their size and

physicality to play back to the basket and get deep post positioning. They have the

poise and touch to score inside and the passing ability to pass out of double teams to

either find shooters or cutters for high percentage shots. They don't have many shooters

on their team. They can knock down the occasional open catch and shoot three-pointer

or three-pointer off the dribble out of the pick and roll, but their mentality is to keep

attacking inside and put rim pressure, which will open up more three-point opportunities.

On the defensive end, they fight through picks and have their bigs play drop coverage.

Their perimeter players apply pressure, move their feet well, and take away driving

lanes. If the player defending the pick and roll ball-handler gets stuck at a pick initially,

they have the length and size to recover and force a tough shot. Sometimes in pick and

roll, they will execute a quick switch with the big man and then switch back to have the

big man return to playing drop coverage.

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Player Analysis:

Julius Halaifonua is the primary pick and roll threat on the team and the go-to option in

the pick and roll. He has good chemistry and 2 man game with Malik Mack. They start

early in games, utilizing this pick and roll combo to set the tone and establish an inside

presence. He sets good hard picks, freeing up the pick and roll ball-handler, limiting

pressure, blitzes, and hedges. He rolls hard and deep into the paint to keep putting

constant pressure on the defense. If he doesn't score, he is someone who will set picks

for his teammates to score, leading to screen assist. He is also someone that operates

in the post and plays back to the basket. He has a significant size advantage that teams

struggle to stop. He gets deep post positioning and has poise. In the post, it is mostly

hook shots he is going to. He has a nice finishing touch in the paint and can get it off

smaller defenders. He has finishes over both shoulders in the post. He is mobile enough

to spin off defenders and get to the rim using his footwork, which is a rarity for a big man

of his size. He doesn't have the stiffness that other bigs have in this situation. Many

teams have to send double teams and multiple defenders his way since it is a challenge

playing him one on one and don't have the size to match up against him. He could pass

well out of double teams and see well over this pressure. He would either pass it out to

three-point shooter or find cutters. A secondary option to pick and roll is running dribble

handoffs with his teammates, freeing them up to either get to their spots for a shot or

get all the way to the rim. He has a tight enough handle and can protect the ball, so the

defense cannot take it away from him. The best type of personnel to match up against

him is defensive players of the same size but with more athleticism and length. On the

defensive end, you want to limit his switches. He is in an upright position, and his build

makes it difficult for him to get into a defensive stance, making him prone to blow-bys by

the pick and roll ball-handler, where they can get all the way to the rim or reach their

spot for a mid-range shot. When he does switch, it is a quick switch, and he gets

another teammate to switch back so he can play in drop coverage and closer to the rim.

He has a good feel for the drop by not dropping too far back to the basket and allowing

a high percentage shot from mid-range or three. He isn't a high-level rim protector since

he lacks athleticism and quick jumping ability, but he showed the ability to get weak-side

blocks.

Malik Mack is the primary ball-handler. He is the one the pick and roll goes through as a

ball-handler and has the highest usage in the 2 man game with Julius Halaifonua. In the

pick and roll, he uses his quick and explosive first step to blow by defenders. He

changes speed and direction, making it hard to stay in front of him when he is getting

downhill. He can play at multiple speeds starting drives slow and then exploding to the

rim or starting drives fast and then slowing down as he gets closer to the rim. He

navigates tight spaces by using his small size to his advantage. He gets to the free-

throw line at a high rate by absorbing contact and not shying away from it. He feels the

contact, initiates it, creates bumps, and uses his body well to keep defenders off him. In

the pick and roll, he either gets to his spot for a floater with good touch or creates

separation from the defender with a step-back jumper. He can also play off the ball,

making him a guard whose effectiveness is not solely measured by having the ball in his

hands. He operates in catch and shoot three-pointers with a quick release and fluid

shooting mechanics. He can elevate over defenders when shooting and has lift by

jumping high, getting his shot over contests. He also operates in dribble handoffs,

where he can receive a dribble handoff from the big to either get to his spot for a three-

pointer off the dribble or attack the rim using his quickness. He is very fluid and quick

getting around off-ball screens, making it hard for the off-ball defender to stay on him.

They run pindowns for him straight into a dribble handoff as a result of this. He is their

go-to scorer late in games. He can potentially make clutch shots down the stretch when

his team's offense slows down, needs a spark, and needs a basket. He can also

facilitate the offense, showing he is more than just a scorer. He gets his teammates

looks off pick and roll, drive and kick or dribble penetration, and in transition. He is quick

to find the roller at the rim, allowing them to run quick pick and roll offense. On drive and

kick and dribble penetration he attracts multiple defenders, collapses the defense, and

then kicks it out for a quality catch and shoot three-point shot as a result of his constant

rim pressure. At times, the one downside he has with him being undersized is that he

struggles to finish against size, length, and physicality. This could cause him to lose

body control and result in a tough off-balance shot at the rim. These are the moments

he needs to be more of a willing passer and find the open man rather than settling for

tough contested shots.

Vincent Iwuchukwu is best utilized as a rim running big. As a big he is quick and

explosive getting up and down the floor in transition, allowing him to beat the opposing

team's big. This is vital for Georgetown to play at a fast pace and secure quick baskets

in transition. He is an above the rim finisher, a lob threat, and has good hands. He is not

as effective scoring in the pick and roll as a roll man. He sets good hard picks and

doesn't shy away from making contact with the defender, freeing up the pick and roll

ball-handler, yet he is stiff rolling to the rim and clogs up space inside affecting his ability

to be a scoring threat in the paint in that situation. He also needs better timing in the

pick and roll where he is not slipping to the rim or rolling to the rim too early. He has a

big impact controlling the offensive glass by grabbing extra possessions and second-

chance opportunities. He converts second-chance opportunities into points when he

uses his athleticism to finish above the rim and goes up strong rather than trying to go

for a layup with good touch. He showed flashes of operating in the pick and pop and

give spacing, allowing for a 2 big lineup with a lot of size where he plays the 4. When

teams sag off and dare him to shoot, he isn't afraid to take a catch and shoot three-

pointer. He has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and a high release point,

giving him the foundation to develop a consistent three-point shot. Developing a

consistent catch and shoot three-pointer out of a pick and pop would limit his rolls to the

rim and make him more effective offensively. He isn't a big post up threat. His lack of

footwork and gaining positioning in the post results in him taking a tough off-balance

shot away from the rim with no touch. Defensively is where his biggest impact is. He is

Georgetown's defensive anchor and interior presence. He is a rim protector. He uses his

timing, instinct, and covers ground as a shot blocker. He has discipline, where he jumps

straight up without fouling and doesn't get into foul trouble. Just like in transition

offensively, he is also quick getting back in transition for defense to force a tough

contested shot at the rim. He has a next play and next possession mentality after an

offensive mistake where he tries to make up for it on the defensive end. He is a really

vocal and loud defender, calling out different defensive coverages, especially in the pick

and roll.

DeShawn Harris-Smith is the most well-rounded player and can do everything. He is not

elite at anything but does multiple things well. He is a plug and play player who has a

good feel for the game and is in the right spots at the right time. Offensively, the best

thing he does is getting out on the open floor in transition, where he operates as a leak-

out man and ball-handler. On leak-outs he is quick, explosive, and fills the lanes well,

where he beats the other team down the floor. In ball-handling situations, in transition,

he has long strides with the combination of change of speed and directions, making him

a tough cover to stay in front of. He uses his well-developed body as a bigger guard to

shield off defenders and keep them behind him or on his hip. He is always looking to get

into the paint and relentlessly attack the rim, showing his aggressiveness as a player.

He is a crafty finisher and has good footwork in the paint. He takes advantage of

mismatches on smaller guards where he is playing back to the basket, spins off them,

and gets to the rim. He plays through physicality, absorbs contact, and gets to the free-

throw line. He is a high motor player crashing the glass hard for his size and rebounding

out of his zone, limiting extra possessions and second-chance opportunities for his

opponents. His rebounding and ability to push the pace are the reasons why his team

can play at a fast pace and create easy opportunities in transition. He also plays well off

the ball. At times, defenses hedge him or blitz him as a ball-handler, making him have to

adjust to get off the ball more. He either cuts to the rim or moves along the three-point

line and relocates to the open space for a catch and shoot three-pointer. He isn't

someone who will take a lot of three-pointers, but he takes the quality shots that are

uncontested and has a quick release with fluid shooting mechanics. As a secondary

ball-handler, he creates opportunities and quality looks for his teammates. He is a

willing passer and finds the open man. The situations he can operate in as a passer are

pick and roll, transition, drive and kick or dribble penetration, and executing cross-court

passes in the half-court. On drive and kicks and dribble penetration, he could get deep

in the paint and collapse the defense, finding the three-point shooter for a catch and

shoot three-pointer. In transition, he is quick to find the leak-out man, setting them up for

high-percentage shots in the paint before the defense can get back. On the defensive

end, he does everything and is all over the place. His best attribute is getting through

picks, moving well through them laterally, staying low to the ground, and having the

strength and physicality to fight through them. He also picks up the ball-handler from the

backcourt and applies resistance. He creates offense from his defense by anticipating

and getting into passing lanes, sparking easy fast-break opportunities for himself and

his teammates.

Isaiah Abraham is a three and d player who plays off the ball. He is the type of role

player that every team can use. He understands his role, plays it well, is a low usage

role player, and plays within the flow of the offense. He keeps his game simple, starting

with his ability to operate in transition on leak-outs. He is quick, explosive, and fills the

lanes well. He is also an effective catch and shoot three-point shooter. He moves well

without the ball constantly along the three-point line and gets to the open space for a

high-percentage catch and shoot three-pointer. He has a quick release and fluid

shooting mechanics. On the defensive end, he showcases his versatility by being a

switchable defender who can guard multiple positions. He defends the post well by

either denying entry passes or not getting backed down by bigger and stronger players.

He has a positive wingspan and length, which he uses to anticipate and play passing

lanes to get steals or deflections and to force tough contested shots.

Caleb Williams is mainly a catch and shoot three-point threat. He has a quick release,

fluid shooting mechanics, and a high release point to shoot over smaller defenders

closing out on him. He is shot ready and shoots the ball confidently without hesitation.

He can shoot from both the corners and from the wings. He has a shooter's mentality,

and that is his main go-to shot on offense. Even when his three-point shots aren't falling,

he spaces the floor for his teammates with the volume of three-point shots he is taking.

At times, he doesn't move without the ball and is a standstill shooter, making him reliant

on teammates to create opportunities for him to catch and shoot threes off dribble

penetration, drive and kick, out of the post, and the short roll. To compensate for his lack

of movement without the ball, he initiates off-ball movement for others, setting good off-

ball screens that free up his teammates to reach their spots more easily and receive

higher-quality looks. At times, defenses start the game with hard closeouts and are

aggressive, taking away his three-point shot, so he adjusts quickly to put the ball on the

floor and become a 2 point player. He changes speed and direction, attacking

closeouts, keeping the defense on its heels, and making it harder for them to stay in

front of him. On the defensive end, he is more of a team defender rather than a one on

one defender. He is effective at closing out on three-point shooters by being quick on

rotations and taking away a quality catch and shoot three-point shot from them. When a

pick is set on him, he relies on switches and help defense. He isn't someone who is

going to get through picks and move well laterally through them. On the defensive end,

he uses his hands too much, which gets him into foul trouble at times. He has the same

trouble defensively as most shooters and three-point specialists.

Jeremiah Williams is a big athletic guard who uses his size and athleticism to create

advantages against smaller guards. His best skillset is leaking out in transition, where

he is quick, explosive, and filling the lane well in the open court. His transition

opportunities are created by being able to get into passing lanes and bring the ball up

as a ball-handler or leak-out. He could also be a catch and shoot three-point shooter

with a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. As soon as his team is out in

transition, he runs to the corners and gets open for catch and shoot pull-up threes. In

the half-court, teammates can throw the ball high for him, and he can catch and finish

lobs over smaller guards. It is a good baseline out of bounds play, that they go to when

he has smaller guards on him. As an on-ball guard in the pick and roll, he has a loose

handle and doesn't navigate screens well getting to his spot making it hard to create

offense for himself and teammates. He lacks speed, quickness, and burst with the ball

in his hands, so you can force him into tough contested long twos from the mid-range

area. He struggles as a passer. He needs to improve his decision making, as at times

he forces passes through tight corners and length to the heavily contested man, making

him turnover prone. His best skillset is at the defensive end, where his calling card lies.

He picks up ball-handlers from the backcourt and applies resistance, making it hard for

them to bring the ball up. He has disruptive length, a big size advantage, strength, and

physicality, making smaller guards uncomfortable crossing the half-court line. He denies

entry passes to the post. He can fight through picks, move well laterally through them,

and beat the pick and roll ball-handler to their spots. He has a good feel of when to fight

over picks to limit threes and when to go under the pick to take away drives.

Jayden Fort is a role player who knows his role well and plays it well. He is a connecting

piece on the offensive end. He isn't someone creating shots for himself. He plays within

the flow of the offense and doesn't force shots. His primary offensive skillset is cutting to

the rim or being in the dunkers spot. When cutting to the rim, he moves well without the

ball by moving along from one side of the baseline to the other until he finds the open

space or a hole in the defense. He has good hands and looks to catch and finish inside.

He showcases athleticism by being an above the rim finisher. He runs the floor well in

transition, allowing him to get easy fast-break points. He needs better touch around the

rim and body control when he is not finishing using his athleticism inside.

Seal Diouf is an undersized big. He does the little stuff and dirty work. He sets good

picks and uses his strength and frame to absorb contact, forcing a switch for the pick

and roll ball-handler to have a mismatch they can take advantage of. He is someone

who will get a good amount of screen assists and get the pick and roll ball-handler

quality looks and matchups. He makes the game come easier to them and gets them

higher-quality shots. He is also involved in dribble handoffs as an initiator, where he

protects the ball and gets it to one of the guards to either get a three or use their

momentum to get to the rim. After being in a dribble handoff, he uses his mobility and

quickness to roll to the rim. He has a high motor on the glass and grabs a good amount

of rebounds in limited minutes. He rebounds out of his zone. On the defensive end, he

is quick on rotations and closing out to three-point shooters. This skill makes him have

the qualities to be a small-ball center.

Written By: Layth Dahman

Georgetown Hoyas '25/'26 Season Preview via Globl Jam

Style of Play:

Player Analysis:

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