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HOYA SAXA! 2026 Forward Justin Caldwell Commits to Georgetown Hoyas

2025-08-01T16:00:00-04:00

Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cooley, Battle pull size and versatility out of North Carolina

Some promising news for the future arrived for your Georgetown Hoyas on the first day of August, as the program secured its first commitment in the Class of 2026. Justin Caldwell, a highly-touted 6’9” forward from North Carolina, announced his commitment to Head Coach Ed Cooley and his staff, providing a significant building block for the program’s long-term vision. Caldwell had an official visit to campus recently.

NEWS: 2026 4⭐️ Justin Caldwell has committed to Georgetown, he tells @LeagueRDY.

Caldwell is a 6-foot-9 forward who plays with a high motor, energy and toughness on both ends of the floor. A dominant presence in the paint.

He chose the Hoyas over NC State, Mississippi State and… pic.twitter.com/I1XN2iQ1gW
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) August 1, 2025

Caldwell, a 6-foot-9 power forward, is set to begin his senior year at Fayetteville Academy this fall. He chose Georgetown over a strong list of suitors that included Maryland, NC State, and Mississippi State. His commitment marks a successful effort for the Hoyas in a talent-rich state, demonstrating the staff’s expanding reach. For a program looking to re-establish its national recruiting footing, locking in a foundational piece like Caldwell is a welcome sign of stability and direction.

Breaking: 6'9 2026 Justin Caldwell has committed to Georgetown!

Caldwell is a bruising, skilled interior presence that has a spot within our top 125 for good reason.

Excellent pickup for the Hoyas pic.twitter.com/RJfAngcSHP
— Draftstack (@TheDraftstack) August 1, 2025

Recruiting services hold Caldwell in high regard. 247Sports ranks him as a four-star prospect and the No. 148 player in the country for his class. Rivals rates him as the No. 123 overall recruit, the No. 18 power forward, and the third-best player in North Carolina—usually an ACC target.

Caldwell reportedly missed some time due to an ankle injury last season. Still. these rankings confirm what many observers in the Southeast have seen: Caldwell is a player with considerable potential.

1000% COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/Z0ncDqpixM
— Justin Caldwell (@JustinC2026) August 1, 2025

A look at Caldwell’s on-court profile reveals a player who seems tailor-made for the brand of basketball many of the Georgetown faithful have wanted to see return to the District. Reports from his time in North Carolina consistently point to his physicality and toughness.

Phenom Hoops described him as a “strong, physically overwhelming big man” who “bullies opponents down in the paint” and “attacks the glass extremely well.”

There is no doubt about it, 2026 Justin Caldwell is producing at a high level at Berean Baptist and there isn't anyone getting in his way this season. #PhenomHoops @JustinC2026 @Coach_Rick57 @colbylewis20 @POBScout @JeffreyBendel_ @Phenom_Hoops @ty1ewis @CoachChrisNC pic.twitter.com/NyGRgjFPVp
— Patrick O'Brien (@POBScout) December 19, 2024

With a reported 7-foot-1 wingspan, Caldwell possesses the physical tools to be a force on defense and on the boards. His AAU statistics with the Washington Warriors this summer, where he averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, showcase a productive motor against top competition. He is noted as an elite rebounder and a developing rim protector, attributes that are always at a premium.

While his strength is his interior presence, Caldwell is not limited to playing with his back to the basket. He described his own game to On3.com as that of a “versatile forward who plays strong around the rim and is able to stretch the floor.” He added, “I play with energy and toughness everytime I step on the floor!”

For Georgetown fans who have followed Cooley’s career, this type of player profile should sound familiar. ESPN analyst Paul Biancardi noted that Caldwell will bring Georgetown “toughness, inside scoring and a ruggedness on the glass reminiscent of a Cooley’s players from Providence.”

This commitment reaffirms that Cooley and his staff are actively recruiting to a specific identity—one built on strength, effort, and physicality.

Four star forward Justin Caldwell tells ESPN why he chose Georgetown.

“I chose Coach Cooley, Coach Battle, and Georgetown because I believe in their vision and trust their ability to develop me both on and off the court.”

“Coach Cooley’s leadership and track record speak for… pic.twitter.com/FphWPlB71m
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) August 1, 2025

Beyond the box score and scouting reports, Caldwell’s reasons for choosing the Hoyas echoes the high praise about the culture the coaching staff is building. In his commitment interviews, the decision apparently came down to relationships and vision.

“I chose Georgetown because it felt like home,” Caldwell said. “The tradition, the vision for the program, and the way they believe in me really stood out. It’s a place where I can grow on and off the court.”

2026 Justin Caldwell recently took a visit to Georgetown#PhenomHoops @JustinC2026

"It was great, I loved it. The coaches and people were awesome and nice." He was able to meet the staff more, take a photo shoot, check out the facilities, and tour the campus pic.twitter.com/Y6lP8CsQJX
— Patrick O'Brien (@POBScout) July 3, 2025

That trust was built through consistent effort from the coaching staff. Caldwell pointed specifically to the work of Coach Cooley and associate head coach Jeff Battle. “Coach Cooley’s leadership and track record speak for themselves, and Coach Battle has built a strong, honest relationship with me from the start,” Caldwell explained.

“Georgetown felt like the right fit—a place where I can grow, be challenged, and help bring success to the program.” Hoyas fans have heard for years about the importance of recruiting, and this appears to be a case where a genuine, sustained effort paid off.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with and evaluate Justin Caldwell. Besides his talent, he brings character, competitiveness, and coachability.
Georgetown has a powerful interior prospect on the way. pic.twitter.com/sTLRGYlVhS
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) August 1, 2025

It is important to maintain perspective. Justin Caldwell will not be stepping onto the court at Capital One Arena this season. He is a big piece of a larger puzzle, a commitment for a future roster. His journey has seen him move from Trinity Christian to Berean Baptist Academy and now to Fayetteville Academy for his final high school season, showing a young man navigating the path to collegiate basketball, with goals to play beyond. His development over the next year will be something for fans to monitor.

BREAKING NEWS: 6'9" Class of 2026 Forward Justin Caldwell Commits to Georgetown, per his X. https://t.co/WszKzUkHHB pic.twitter.com/osFXRh1M84
— Fayetteville Sports Now (@VilleSportsNow) August 1, 2025

Still, this commitment feels like more than just a single recruit. It is the first stake in the ground for the 2026 class. It is a win on the recruiting trail against respected regional programs.

It is an endorsement from a sought-after player who believes in the direction Ed Cooley, Jeff Battle, and the staff are is taking the Georgetown program. It is another reason for cautious optimism to grow on the Hilltop.

There is no doubt about it, 2026 Justin Caldwell is producing at a high level at Berean Baptist and there isn't anyone getting in his way this season. #PhenomHoops @JustinC2026 @Coach_Rick57 @colbylewis20 @POBScout @JeffreyBendel_ @Phenom_Hoops @ty1ewis @CoachChrisNC pic.twitter.com/NyGRgjFPVp
— Patrick O'Brien (@POBScout) December 19, 2024

Welcome, Justin! Hoya Saxa!

ROSTER RELEASE: Georgetown Hoyas Post 2025-26 Roster

2025-07-29T21:00:00-04:00

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The Hoyas have a full squad ahead of GLOBL JAM next week

Your Georgetown Hoyas have officially unveiled their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This announcement marks the beginning of anticipation for the team’s performance in the next year, with fans and analysts alike eagerly dissecting the roster to predict potential strengths and areas for development. This release was vital as they are heading into the GLOBL JAM games next month.

Georgetown's 25-26 roster is online. It doesn't change their eligibility but it's interesting that Fort and Diouf are listed as sophomores. (McKenna had been listed as a freshman in 23-24 and then again last season)
— Bobby Bancroft (@BobbyBancroft) July 30, 2025

Here is the roster (in height order; new transfers in bold):

2 Malik Mack 6-2 175 G Jr. Oxon Hill, Md. / St. John’s College High School [D.C.] Harvard
15 Hashem Asadallah 6-2 189 G Jr. Jabriya, Kuwait / American School of Kuwait
30 Michael Van Raaphorst 6-2 218 G So. Chatham, N.J. / Delbarton
5 KJ Lewis 6-4 210 G Jr. El Paso, Texas / Duncanville Arizona
25 Jeremiah Williams 6-4 200 G Gr. Chicago, Ill. / Simeon Rutgers
45 Kayvaun Mulready 6-4 219 G So. Worcester, Mass. / Worcester Academy
1 DeShawn Harris-Smith 6-5 224 G Jr. Woodbridge, Va. / Paul VI Maryland
13 Langston Love 6-5 210 G Gr. Universal City, Texas / Montverde Academy Baylor
22 Mason Moses 6-6 209 G So. New York, N.Y. / Brewster Academy [N.H.]
12 Austin Montgomery 6-6 205 F Jr. New Orleans, La. / Newman LSU
4 Caleb Williams 6-7 227 F So. Upper Marlboro, Md. / Sidwell Friends [D.C.]
7 Isaiah Abraham 6-7 205 F So. Gainesville, Va. / Paul VI UConn
0 Jayden Fort 6-9 216 F So. Washington, D.C. / Jackson-Reed
14 Seal Diouf 6-9 255 C So. Gouda, Netherlands / The Dunn School [Calif.]
11 Julius Halaifonua 7-0 259 C So. Auckland, New Zealand / NBA Global Academy [Australia]
3 Vince Iwuchukwu 7-1 257 C Sr. Imo State, Nigeria / Southern California Academy [Calif.] St. John’s

Georgetown continues to develop a rhythm with the roster. As the Hoyas work through summer workouts towards their first test in Canada, we take a look out how things are progressing. #HoyaSaxa https://t.co/E13g3iZxwb
— MTC Media Sports ️ (@mtcmediasports) July 18, 2025

Here are five initial thoughts from the new-look roster:

1. An Emphasis on Positional Length

The most striking feature of this roster is its overwhelming size and strength on the perimeter. The Hoyas list nine guards, but the term “guard” is likely used loosely. Six of them stand 6’4” or taller, including Maryland transfer DeShawn Harris-Smith 6’5”, 224 lbs), Arizona transfer KJ Lewis 6’4”, 210 lbs), and Baylor transfer Langston Love 6’5”, `210 lbs). This isn’t a collection of slight perimeter players; it’s a cadre of physical, versatile wings built to overwhelm smaller opponents, switch defensively without creating mismatches, and dominate the boards from every position on the floor.

2. Forged in the Fire of the Transfer Portal

This is unequivocally a team built through the modern architecture of college basketball: the transfer portal. With key players arriving from big-time programs like Arizona (Lewis), Baylor (Love), Maryland (Harris-Smith), UConn (Isaiah Abraham), and St. John’s (Vince Iwuchukwu), the Hoyas have infused their lineup with proven, high-major talent. The upside is a roster that won’t be intimidated by the bright lights of the Big East. The primary challenge, as with any transfer-heavy team, will be accelerating chemistry. With so many players used to being primary options on their former teams, the coaching staff’s first task will be defining roles and molding individual talents into a cohesive unit.

#HoyaSaxa pic.twitter.com/OyhwY0jqz2
— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) July 28, 2025

3. A Return to Big Basketball in the Middle

While the guards are big, the centers are giants. Georgetown lists a three-man rotation at the center position that harkens back to the program’s intimidating legacy. The trio of Seal Diouf 6’9”, 255 lbs), Julius Halaifonua 7’0”, 259 lbs), and the experienced St. John’s transfer Vince Iwuchukwu 7’1”, 257 lbs) gives the Hoyas a staggering amount of size, strength, and depth in the post. This frontline is designed to control the paint, protect the rim, and wear down any opponent who dares to challenge them inside. This physical presence should provide a formidable defensive backbone for the team.

4. The Sophomore Class Holds the Key to the Team’s Ceiling

While the high-profile transfers will grab the headlines, the team’s ultimate potential may rest on the development of its massive sophomore class. Eight players on the roster are entering their second year, including promising forwards Caleb Williams and Isaiah Abraham. Jayden Fort is listed as a sophomore with a year under his belt and some very positive whispers, but he has no NCAA minutes yet. This group represents the team’s engine room and its depth. If this cohort can make the leap in production and maturity from freshman to sophomore year, they will provide the critical support and internal competition needed to elevate the Hoyas from a collection of talent to a legitimate conference contender.

5. A Unique Mix of Youth and Experience

The roster presents an interesting paradox: it is simultaneously old and new. With graduate students like Jeremiah Williams (Rutgers) and Langston Love (Baylor), along with senior Vince Iwuchukwu, the Hoyas have seasoned veterans who have navigated years of high-level college basketball. However, with 11 of the 16 players being sophomores or juniors and the entire unit being new to one another, the team lacks long-term continuity. The leadership of the older, experienced transfers will be paramount in setting the culture and accelerating the learning curve for a team that needs to build chemistry on the fly.

The Hoyas will represent the United States at the GLOBL JAM under-23 tournament in Toronto Aug. 13-17. Fans are patiently waiting for US broadcast information.

NEW GM: Georgetown Reportedly Selects Greg Collucci of GW, NBA Academy as General Manager

2025-07-24T14:00:00-04:00

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Collucci has strong ties in DMV and international spots

Your Georgetown Hoyas appear to have quietly announced the appointment of Gregory Collucci as the General Manager (GM) for Men’s Basketball, a role apparently within Georgetown Athletics’ Director’s Office. Collucci brings a wealth of experience in the DC area and globally, having been involved in basketball as a player, coach, and administrative leader for over two decades. Given the financial climate in college, the GM role likely needs to remain flexible, and Collucci seems to be well suited for helping Ed Cooley build this program roster by roster, and beyond.

Greg Collucci is officially the General Manger of the Georgetown Hoyas: pic.twitter.com/h3cuxTCnEj
— The Finger WAG (@FingerWAGHoyas) July 23, 2025

Collucci’s Experience with NCAA Programs

Collucci’s journey in collegiate basketball began as a student-athlete at George Washington University, led to an eleven-year coaching tenure at GW, American University, and Central Connecticut State, and eight years with the NBA as a senior manager in International Basketball Operations and Elite Basketball Coach and Player Pathways Lead, where he played a crucial role in establishing and developing the NBA Academy program

Reportedly born in Providence, Collucci called West Palm Beach, Florida his home. It appears that Greg is the son of Vic Collucci who played at Providence with Jim Larranaga and coached at PC and Roger Williams University.

At GW, He stood 6-3 and weighed 191 pounds as a senior with jersey number 34 on the 2003-04 Men’s Basketball Roster. He played for GW for four seasons, from 2000 to 2004, earning a bachelor’s of business administration degree in marketing in 2004.

As a sharp-shooting guard, Collucci averaged 5.5 points and accumulated 623 career points at GW, hitting 160 career three-pointers. His proficiency from beyond the arc led to tournament records: eight three-pointers against Yale in the 2001 Red Auerbach Colonial Classic Championship and seven three-pointers against Princeton in the 2001 BB&T Classic opener. He was named to all-tournament teams at both the 2001 BB&T Classic and the 2001 Red Auerbach Colonial Classic tournaments. During his senior year, he helped the Colonials secure an NIT berth. Collucci’s early experiences at GW included rooming with a student-athlete from Spain and having teammates from Belarus, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic, which introduced him to a diverse, international environment.

After his playing career, Collucci remained at GW for an additional seven years, marking 11 total years at the university. He first served as a graduate assistant in 2005 and then as Director of Basketball Operations in 2006. During these seasons, GW achieved NCAA berths in both 2005 and 2006, reached its highest ranking in 50 years in 2006, and captured back-to-back Atlantic 10 conference titles.

Collucci was responsible for many of the detail-oriented aspects of the GW basketball program during this period. He was promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2007 season. As an assistant, he helped Karl Hobbs lead the Colonials to their second Atlantic 10 tournament title in three years, which resulted in the Colonials’ third straight appearance in the NCAA tournament (2005, 2006, 2007).

Reportedly, his responsibilities included recruiting, strategic game preparations, film breakdown, and assisting the head coach in other team matters. He was also involved in on-campus visit planning, managing recruiting databases, film exchange, and organizing player schedules. Throughout his coaching tenure, Collucci developed extensive recruiting ties overseas.

Following his time at GW, Collucci spent one season at American University, where the team won the Patriot League Tournament Championship in 2014 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, finishing with a 20-13 overall record. He then joined Central Connecticut State University as an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.

Shaping Global Basketball: Collucci’s Work with the NBA

Before his current role at Georgetown, Collucci made a significant impact on global basketball development through his work with the National Basketball Association (NBA). He worked within the NBA’s International Basketball Operations as a senior manager in charge of player pathways and coaching, later referred to as the NBA’s Elite Basketball Coach and Player Pathways Lead.

Collucci was involved from the inception of the NB A Academy program in October 2016. This program is an international network of elite training and education centers for boys and girls, aimed at helping grow the game at the youth level worldwide.

The NBA Academy has branches in Australia (NBA Global Academy), China, India (NBA Academy India), Senegal (NBA Academy Africa), and Mexico (NBA Academy Latin America). Collucci’s past international recruiting experience made him a natural fit for this role.

Reports indicate that, at the conclusion of their seasons in July 2025, the NBA will close their Global Academy in Australia and Latin America Academy in Mexico. The NBA Africa Academy in Senegal will remain open, with plans for a new Global hub—potentially in the UAE—to be established in the future.

The NBA Global Academy is popping up around the world to develop young basketball talent. The NBA’s Greg Collucci explains how it works. One recent graduate helped ⁦@BaylorMBB⁩ win a title. @NBAAcademyPR⁩ ⁦@NBAGlobalPR⁩ https://t.co/uQLsQOpZSO pic.twitter.com/xJEYow4A4b
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) April 23, 2021

Collucci explained that the Academy’s international trips, such as attending the National Prep School Invitational (NPSI), provide “a great access point for so many great colleges and universities” and serve as an “excellent measuring stick” for player development. The Academy also attends events like the Tarkanian Classic and hosts its own NBA Academy Games.

Within the NBA Academy, Collucci’s responsibilities included supporting young athletes’ aspirations by providing them with athletic and academic resources. The program focuses on a holistic view of development, which includes academic education, physical preparation, nutrition, financial literacy, time management, public speaking, and social media training.

Collucci emphasized that a core trait the NBA Academy seeks in players is the ability to inspire the next generation, noting that their job is to tell the diverse stories of players and support them in achieving their goals.

Marc VandeWettering's new role will involve working with Gard on “recruiting, roster management, player personnel and revenue sharing strategy." https://t.co/hOD7ZOQLnu
— The Post-Crescent (@PostCrescent) July 15, 2025

What is a College Basketball General Manager?

A new executive role is rapidly becoming standard in college athletics: the General Manager. But unlike in professional sports where the GM hires the coach, the college GM works directly for them, acting as a chief of staff for the modern, high-stakes world of collegiate programs.

This position was born from necessity. The seismic shifts of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation and the chaotic freedom of the transfer portal have created complex responsibilities that extend far beyond traditional coaching. Head coaches, now acting more like CEOs, need a specialist to manage the program’s most critical assets: its players and its money.

Georgetown previously had Mark Fox as Director of Student-Athlete Relations and NIL Partnerships before he followed his friend Mark Pope to the University of Kentucky.

Report: Georgia Tech Basketball Will Hire Utah Jazz Executive Chuck Terrell As Its New General Manager https://t.co/1mapkq5uQd
— AllYellowJackets (@AllYellowJacket) July 3, 2025

The college GM’s primary duties are to navigate this new landscape. They manage NIL strategy and liaise with booster collectives, scout and recruit players from the ever-active transfer portal, and use data to model long-term roster health. The role also involves building relationships with alumni, donors, and recruits’ families, solidifying the program’s foundation off the court.

The GM role is highly adaptable, with its focus shifting based on the program’s scale. At major universities, it’s about leveraging massive financial resources. At mid-majors, it’s about creative fundraising and finding players who are a perfect cultural and institutional fit. This flexibility is reflected in the diverse backgrounds of those hired, who range from former NBA executives and data analysts to beloved alumni and fundraising experts.

The consensus is clear: the General Manager is no longer a luxury but a vital component of an elite college basketball program. As college sports continue to professionalize, the GM is the essential front-office mind tasked with building and maintaining a competitive team.

Report: Georgia Tech Basketball Will Hire Utah Jazz Executive Chuck Terrell As Its New General Manager https://t.co/1mapkq5uQd
— AllYellowJackets (@AllYellowJacket) July 3, 2025

Greg Collucci’s journey as a former Division I player, long-time college assistant coach, and high-level NBA executive provides him with a uniquely comprehensive view of basketball operations. His playing career and eleven-year coaching tenure at GW give him an intimate understanding of the DC-area collegiate landscape and the demands placed on student-athletes.

He has direct experience building solid programs, having been a key assistant on teams that captured multiple conference titles and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. Collucci’s early role as Director of Basketball Operations appears to have honed his skills in managing the crucial, detail-oriented aspects of a successful program.

His eight years managing player pathways for the NBA gives him a high level of credibility and connections when recruiting elite talent with professional aspirations. Collucci was instrumental in establishing the NBA’s global academy system, providing him with a vast international scouting and recruitment network. This experience focused on holistic development, encompassing academics, life skills, and financial literacy alongside athletic training—all traits admired on the Hilltop.

His expertise in teaching young athletes to manage public speaking and social media is perfectly suited for navigating the modern NIL era. He understands how to evaluate talent not just for on-court skill but for the character needed to inspire future generations.

Ultimately, this rare combination of collegiate operational success and global, NBA-level talent development makes him the ideal architect for Georgetown’s future.

Welcome, Greg! HOYA SAXA!

A new look coming for Casual Hoya in August

2025-07-24T12:00:00-04:00

Our coverage remains the same but with a new look

In just a couple of weeks, Casual Hoya is switching to a new platform as part of SB Nation’s network-wide move to a new publishing platform. This will change the look of the site and also make it faster and more reliable on any device you use. This is an upgrade.

When you land on the site, it will look cleaner – less clunky, with more white space, a better ad experience with faster load times – but will still have all the usual articles, analysis, and news by all the folks you know.

Community discussion and content created by you will be more prominent in the new design. The best comment threads will be easy to find, and staff and commenters alike will be able to start conversations whenever they like with a brand new tool.

We’re planning on an early August reveal, so we wanted to give you a heads up. You’ll hear more from us when it’s almost here. The site will look a little different, feel a little faster, and, most importantly, have a bigger role for you, the community.

So, stick around and check it out!

OH CANADA! Georgetown Will Represent U.S. at GLOBL JAM in August

2025-07-17T19:00:00-04:00

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The Hoyas are headed to the U23 tournament in Toronto Aug. 13-17

In quite a nice summer surprise, your Georgetown Hoyas will represent the United States at the GLOBL JAM under-23 tournament in Toronto Aug. 13-17. Canada Basketball announced that Ed Cooley and Georgetown will join a field including the U-23 national teams of Canada, Japan, and Brazil, playing each team.

"Having a storied program like Georgetown carry the Team USA banner adds incredible prestige to GLOBL JAM," said Michael Bartlett, President and CEO, Canada Basketball. https://t.co/v5xMcgc1DZ
— Bobby Bancroft (@BobbyBancroft) July 17, 2025

GLOBL JAM is an international Under-23 basketball showcase, from August 13–17, 2025, played at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre—one of the “cathedrals of hockey.”

The tournament format includes round-robin play followed by bronze and gold medal games on Championship Sunday.

This is apparently the third edition of GLOBL JAM, with Kentucky winning the tournament in 2023 (4-0) and Baylor lost to Brazil in the championship in 2022, after losing to Italy in the round robin. It is unclear what happened in 2024.

GU transfer guard Langston Love did not suit up for Baylor when they were in Globl Jam 2022, presumably due to injury/recovery. It is unclear if he made the trip with Scott Drew and the Bears.

Based on the Ticketmaster site, it appears Georgetown will be playing at least 3 games:

8/13 Wed 11 AM v. Japan
8/14 Thurs 6PM v. Canada
8/16 Sat 11:30AM v. Brazil (2PM Men’s game)
8/17 Sun 5PM Gold Medal Games (8PM Men’s game)

There is no current reports of broadcasting the games outside of Canada (SportsNet), but the 2023 games featuring Kentucky were shown on CBS Sports Network.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canada Basketball (@canadabasketball)

Press Release from GUHoyas:
WASHINGTON – Canada Basketball, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), announced today that the Georgetown Hoyas have been selected to represent the United States in the men’s competition at GLOBL JAM, taking place August 13–17 at Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Ed Cooley, entering his third year in the role, Georgetown concluded the 2024-25 season at 18-16 overall, including an 8-12 record in Big East play, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown postseason tournament. The Hoyas’ promising roster was anchored by Micah Peavy, who earned All-Big East First Team honors, and standout freshman Thomas Sorber, who was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team, All-BIG EAST Third Team and claimed seven Freshman of the Week awards. The duo were both selected in the 2025 NBA Draft with Sorber going 15th overall in the first round to the reigning NBA Champions Oklahoma City Thunder and Peavy being selected in the second round, 40th overall, by the New Orleans Pelicans.

“We’re honored for this opportunity to represent the United States at GLOBL JAM in Toronto,” said Ed Cooley, Head Coach, Georgetown Hoyas. “This is a special chance for our players to compete internationally, grow together, and immerse ourselves in a new culture through sport.”

Representing Team USA, Georgetown will test their skills against top international competition, Japan, and Brazil gaining valuable experience ahead of their 2025-2026 NCAA season.

“Having a storied program like Georgetown carry the Team USA banner adds incredible prestige to GLOBL JAM,” said Michael Bartlett, President and CEO, Canada Basketball. ”Bringing Georgetown into competition with top teams from Canada, Japan, and Brazil only heightens the caliber of this event. Fans in Toronto and across the country can look forward to an exceptional display of talent on the international stage”

“Georgetown is one of the flagship programs in college basketball history, and a fitting selection to represent the United States at GLOBL JAM,” said Craig Robinson, Executive Director of the NABC. “The NABC is proud to again serve as the United States delegation for GLOBL JAM, and we look forward to supporting the Hoyas as they compete at this marquee international event.” Returning this summer, GLOBL JAM is a premier international showcase featuring Under-23 teams from around the world. All games will take place at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre and be broadcast nationally in Canada on Sportsnet platforms.

Fans eager to support the Hoyas can secure a Team USA Gold Pack, which includes access to all Team USA round robin games and the men’s gold medal championship. Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster, starting at under $22 per session for two games.

Visit globljam.ca for more details and full schedules.

College basketball on the global stage!@GeorgetownHoops will represent the United States at the 2025 GLOBL JAM international U23 tournament in Toronto, with the NABC serving as the US delegation. pic.twitter.com/vtTFp5PdaK
— NABC (@NABC1927) July 17, 2025

See you in Toronto for some international competition!

️ Georgetown Men's Basketball Selected to Represent USA This Summer at GLOBL JAM

️ https://t.co/dtJKqsGS0A #HoyaSaxa
— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) July 17, 2025

HOYA SAXA, USA!

PAY TO PLAY? College Sports Commission Clarifies ‘Valid Business Purpose’ for NIL Deals

2025-07-10T14:00:00-04:00

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Collectives will be getting more scrutiny, which could cut both ways.

The “new-ish” framework governing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation for student-athletes continues to mature after the NCAA-House settlement. Recent guidance from the College Sports Commission introduces new requirements for disclosure and compliance, centered on a critical concept: “valid business purpose.” For student athletes and potential sponsors, understanding this refined-but-still-tricky definition will be essential for structuring permissible and effective NIL agreements.

Today the College Sports Commission issued additional guidance to schools about the definition of “valid business purpose” and the importance of sharing information about entities involved in third-party NIL deals. More information is available here: https://t.co/im58PGJiFL
— College Sports Commission (@theCSCommission) July 10, 2025

On June 7, 2025, a new era of oversight began, mandating that NCAA Division I student-athletes report third-party NIL deals valued at $600 or more through a new portal, NIL Go. This system, developed with Deloitte, is designed to vet agreements against key criteria, ensuring they are commercially sound and not merely a pretext for pay-for-play. The problem is that NIL Go has been functioning far from perfectly.

NEW: After weeks of waiting, some athletes still haven't heard from NIL GO, and are now losing deals.

Yesterday, a spox said the CSC regrets the delays. Now, CSC says some deals awaiting response will be rejected...bc of restrictions they just clarified.https://t.co/sHAVglUjQr
— Amanda Christovich (@achristovichh) July 10, 2025

The oversight will continue and the new guidance may accelerate some NIL deal review. The Commission’s evaluation rests on three pillars: the payor’s association with the school, a reasonable range of compensation, and, most notably, the existence of a “valid business purpose.”

The Core of Compliance: Valid Business Purpose (VBP)

The CSC guidance specifies that a deal must have a legitimate commercial rationale. The core of the VBP requirement is that the entity paying the student-athlete must be “seeking the use of the student-athlete’s NIL for a valid business purpose, meaning to sell a good or service to the public for profit” (¶ 14).

This standard directly targets arrangements where the primary goal is to channel funds to athletes rather than to promote a public-facing commercial enterprise.

The guidance states, “An entity with a business purpose of providing payments or benefits to student-athletes or institutions, rather than providing goods or services to the general public for profit, does not satisfy the valid business purpose requirement” (¶ 15).

Deconstructing a Tricky Example

The College Sports Commission provided a specific, and potentially challenging, example to illustrate this point.

The guidance clarifies that certain activities undertaken by NIL collectives—entities often formed with the express purpose of supporting a particular school’s athletes—do not meet the VBP standard on their own.

Consider the hypothetical situation presented:

“For example, a NIL collective that has a business purpose to pay student-athletes associated with a particular school or schools does not satisfy Rule 22.1.3 when it reaches a deal with a student-athlete to make an appearance on behalf of the collective at an event even if that event is open to the general public and the collective charges an admission fee (e.g., a golf tournament).

In this example, the NIL collective’s purpose is to raise money at the event to pay that student-athlete and potentially fund deals with other student-athletes at that school, which are not goods or services available to the general public for profit.” (¶ 16)

This logic extends to merchandise sales. If the “whole purpose in selling merchandise is to raise money to pay that student-athlete and potentially other student-athletes at a particular school or schools,” it is not considered a valid business purpose (¶ 17).

The distinction is subtle but significant. The primary purpose of the transaction determines its validity. If the collective’s activity—be it a golf tournament or a t-shirt sale—is fundamentally a fundraising mechanism to pay players, it fails the VBP test. The “good or service” (the event ticket or the merchandise) is incidental to the non-compliant purpose of athlete payment.

College Sports Commission: "a NIL collective [] does not satisfy Rule 22.1.3 when it reaches a deal [for] an appearance on behalf of the collective at an event even if that event is open to the general public and the collective charges an admission fee (e.g., a golf tournament)." pic.twitter.com/06mtqmbIZa
— Philadelphia Hoyas (@PhillyHoyas) July 10, 2025

A Path Forward for Collectives and Brands

This CSC guidance does not foreclose opportunities for collectives or the businesses that support them. Instead, it directs them toward an allegedly more compliant operational model.

The Commission notes that these same deals would be permissible if the entity paying the student-athlete and receiving the public’s money were a genuine business with a purpose beyond paying athletes, such as “a golf course, an apparel company” (¶ 18).

This points to a viable path: NIL collectives—if they still exist—can potentially function as marketing agencies. They can broker deals between student-athletes and legitimate businesses that seek to use an athlete’s NIL to promote their actual goods and services.

The guidance explicitly allows for this, mandating that there is “documentation establishing that the sources of those specific funds were the entities with a valid business purpose that received the benefit of the student’s NIL” (¶ 19).

For schools, athletes, and the brands they represent, this clarification underscores the importance of proper structuring and documentation—good for all the lawyers and agents. When engaging a student-athlete, especially through an intermediary like a collective, the commercial logic needs to be clear. (Disclaimer: This is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.)

It sounds like the agreement should demonstrate that the athlete’s NIL is being used to drive sales or promote a bona fide business, not simply as a pass-through for compensation.

While these new rules introduce compliance burdens for unsophisticated student-athletes, they may also offer a clearer, if narrower, path for legitimate commercial partnerships in the collegiate sports arena.

If certain programs are gaming the system (e.g., football-focused schools) to exceed the $20.5 million revenue sharing cap, then perhaps this enforcement catches or deters using unclean NIL funds for pay-to-play salaries.

GLOBAL REACH: Georgetown Center Julius Halaifonua Impresses at U19 World Cup

2025-07-08T10:00:00-04:00

Photo by Vianney Thibaut/FIBA via Getty Images

The 7-footer helped New Zealand win fourth place in the international tournament

Fans of the Georgetown Hoyas think they know Julius Halaifonua pretty well, despite his injury, but whether even the most faithful diehards could predict that Julius would be balling this summer is hard to tell. The starting center for New Zealand turned in some solid performances and showed off his efficiency. Heads are starting to turn.

Georgetown Center Julius Halaifonua averaged 10.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.6 BPG in 19.3 MPG over 7 games (4-3) for the fourth-placed New Zealand squad https://t.co/RTdrEB3LN8 pic.twitter.com/ND2Ay82yha
— Philadelphia Hoyas (@PhillyHoyas) July 8, 2025

Halaifonua averaged 10.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.6 BPG in 19.3 MPG over 7 games (4-3) for the fourth-placed New Zealand squad. The Kiwis finished behind the USA, Germany, and Slovenia.

In case you had not heard, Ed Cooley made the trip.

Excited to be here in Switzerland supporting our guy Julius as he plays for New Zealand at the FIBA U19 World Cup! pic.twitter.com/0l4pCsgXln
— Ed Cooley (@HoyaCoachCooley) July 2, 2025

Our friends over at the Finger WAG offer a nice breakdown of Juilius’ work in Switzerland.

The hype is real following Julius Halaifonua's #FIBAU19 run.

We're filling the Kenner League (RIP) sized hole in our hearts with a full breakdown of Julius' play vs. a talented USA squad.

Spoiler Alert: NZ got rocked, but Julius excelled.https://t.co/h3fBH0hDwt #JuliusSzn is…
— The Finger WAG (@FingerWAGHoyas) July 8, 2025

Here are some other tweets:

Play for Ed Cooley's Georgetown Hoyas and you can lead your country to its all time best FIBA U19 World Cup performance. Especially when equipped with the size, skills, and vision of Julius Halaifonua.

DC is our training ground but the WORLD is our arena. #HOYASAXA pic.twitter.com/So3DgpXziL
— DSR Enjoyer (@DSREnjoyer1) July 7, 2025

Julius Halaifonua ( , '06 - 7'0", C) displayed his efficiency in the paint and his accuracy at the free throw line, scoring 16 points with 4/6 FG + 8/10 FT.

The Hoyas commit added 5 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 assists and 27 PIR to close his #FIBAU19 campaign! pic.twitter.com/JT8vJ3CIJI
— Edoardo Pollero (@Loppe_V) July 6, 2025

Julius Halaifonua finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 5 blocks in New Zealand’s game against Slovenia.

4-6 FG
8-10 FT #Hoyas | #FIBAU19 pic.twitter.com/wY26RZP9f4
— Patrick Waring (@WaringPatrick) July 6, 2025

Julius Halaifonua = what we hoped Tai Wynyard would be. Plus some touch. Loved his size defensively in this tournament. Skillset incredibly tantalising but will have to get better in pick and roll on both ends to maximise his potential as a pro.

Xanda Marsters = Everard Bartlett
— Sam Garriock (@Sam_Garriock) July 6, 2025

Julius Halaifonua had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks in New Zealand’s game against USA in the Semifinals.

7-14 FG
1-2 FT

New Zealand will play for the Bronze tomorrow. #Hoyas | #FIBAU19 pic.twitter.com/v5HdEbqdhn
— Patrick Waring (@WaringPatrick) July 5, 2025

New Zealand had a great run in U19 FIBA World Cup. Georgetown Center Julius Halaifonua was a huge part of NZL's success. In the 3rd place game Julius put up an incredible stat line despite the loss:

16 Pts
3 Asts
5 Rebs
5 Blks
80% FG %

Let's go @HalaifonuaJ pic.twitter.com/jIa8vQJVey
— Big East Hoyas (@BigEastHoyas) July 6, 2025

Solid work, Julius! There’s more to be done! Hoya Saxa!

NBA DRAFT: Micah Peavy Scooped Up by Pelicans in Second Round of NBA Draft

2025-06-27T17:00:00-04:00

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

New Orleans got Peavy via the Wizards at Pick 40 overall

Micah Peavy, of your Georgetown Hoyas, has been selected 10th in the second round—40th overall—by the New Orleans Pelicans (via the Washington Wizards) in the NBA Draft. While keeping Peavy in Washington would have been really cool for local Hoyas fans, seeing him scooped up by the Pelicans and headed to NOLA appears to be a terrific match.

Headed to Nola!

With the 4️⃣0️⃣th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft the Washington Wizards select Micah Peavy! But that pick is traded to the @PelicansNBA!#HoyaSaxa pic.twitter.com/CB1my9vpyY
— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) June 27, 2025

Peavy enjoyed himself in the moment and looked stylish, eventually switching to the Pelicans hat.

Peavy’s draft rights were traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a trade. This trade sent CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the second-round pick used to select Peavy.

reppin' @GeorgetownHoops | @mjpv5 pic.twitter.com/7qOqWSanbJ
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 27, 2025

Peavy arrived to night two of the draft with Ed Cooley, and even took some photos with him, showing off the collegiate logos embroidered in his suit lining.

Micah Peavy arrives with Georgetown coach Ed Cooley!@mjpv5 x @HoyaCoachCooley pic.twitter.com/Q4hGSFjDnq
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 26, 2025

Ed Cooley wanted to flex a bit too @GeorgetownHoops pic.twitter.com/NkyJnJI614
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 27, 2025

Fans have been echoing that selecting Micah Peavy will make some NBA GM look really, really smart. New Orleans—a city with long ties to Georgetown basketball—will not be disappointed by Peavy.

Peavy, listed at 6’7”, is described as a long, athletic, and versatile wing, possessing NBA-ready physical tools and defensive versatility. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while playing over 37 minutes per contest. He finished the regular season leading the BIG EAST conference in steals per game. Peavy capped off a strong five-year college career with his best season yet, earning accolades such as All-BIG EAST First Team and NABC All-Mid Atlantic First Team honors. He was a vital presence for the Hoyas, transforming their program trajectory—especially on the defensive end.

One of the most encouraging developments in his game was a significant leap as a perimeter shooter, hitting 40.0% from three on 4.1 attempts per game. This is seen as an encouraging development for someone who was previously a shaky spot-up threat. While his career three-point percentage was lower (32.3%) and free throw percentage remains a question mark (60.6% career, 65.9% in 2024-25), this recent improvement is a positive sign for his potential to space the floor at the next level. Peavy is effective attacking closeouts and finishing through contact.

Congratulations to Micah Peavy on being selected with the 40th pick. We are all so excited and proud of our 2 Hoyas who lived their dream of hearing their names called at the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/Ib9l68QgDK
— Ed Cooley (@HoyaCoachCooley) June 27, 2025

NEW POST

Georgetown guard Micah Peavy was opening some eyes with his play to close out the 2024-25 NCAA season.

Our own @jamontheboards takes a closer look at Peavy in his latest piece #NBADraft https://t.co/IbMLn85PDM
— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) March 18, 2025

Defensively, he stands out, using his length and anticipation to pressure the ball and disrupt passing lanes. He is noted for being able to guard multiple positions on the wing thanks to his lateral quickness and physicality.

The Sports Illustrated scouts saw him as a potential second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was profiled as a plug-and-play option in second units, capable of defending positions 1-3, spacing the floor (if his jumper holds), and making smart decisions with the ball. His production, toughness, and athleticism make him a strong bet to compete for minutes early in his professional career.

Wing-sized plus defenders find their way to every NBA roster. For Micah Peavy, it's nothing different. But the senior has more to offer. Here's why he'll make it to an NBA roster after the summer: https://t.co/ax8xvhdSEl pic.twitter.com/7qurYi7cZU
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) May 2, 2025

"I feel like I impact the game at that end of the floor better than anyone in the country. I just cant wait to show that at the NBA level"

-- Micah Peavy on his defense pic.twitter.com/p5Hh3t5Mtd
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) June 27, 2025

RT IF YOUR SCHOOL HAD 2+ #NBADraft PICKS pic.twitter.com/zX1aZ1VWvU
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) June 27, 2025

Congrats, Micah! HOYA SAXA!