Ranking The Frosh: No. 10 – Georgia Tech

GEORGIA TECH 2010-2011 INCOMING FRESHMAN

• (SF-19) Jason Morris (6’4. 190) ☆☆☆☆
• (C-NR) Nate Hicks (6’10, 205) ☆☆☆

There is no doubt Coach Paul Hewitt can recruit. Since 2002 (he’s been the head coach since 2000), Hewitt has brought in stars like Jarrett Jack, Chris Bosh, Lewis Clinch, Thaddeus Young, Gani Lawal, Iman Shumpert and of course Derrick Favors. All these guys were 4-star or above basketball players. Yet, outside their 2004 Final Four run, that talent hasn’t translated into consistent winning.

This year that recruiting ability needed to find another gear, thanks to the departure of the Yellow Jackets entire front court (Derrick Favors, Gani Lawal and Zach Peacock). Yet, all Hewitt was able to land were two players, only one of which is a big man and neither should have much impact in 2010-2011.

Small forward Jason Morris is the most talented of the two 2010 freshman. The 6’5 forward is ranked 19th at SF, but is known more for his athletic ability than his actual basketball IQ. He can take it to the rim, but has a habit of getting stuck in traffic. He can shoot the three, but tends to take them even when he has a hand in his face.

He’s a four-year player, who will get time to grow. Not only does Georgia Tech already have a young small forward in sophomore Brian Oliver, but they are also stacked at guard (Mfon Udofia, Iman Shumpert, Maurice Miller, D’Andre Bell and Glen Rice Jr.), so clearly Tech will a lot of three-guard looks.

The one big man Coach Hewitt delivered is Nate Hicks. A 6’10 center, who originally committed to Tulane, Hicks is a traditional back-to-the-basket player. He’s shown the ability to score down low, rebound and block shots at the high school level.

Still, Hicks is only a three-star recruit and is the 84th best center according to ESPN. Like Morris above, Hicks could use some time to grow, yet the front court cupboard is nearly empty in Atlanta right now.

Currently the Yellow Jackets have senior seven-footer Brad Sheehan. He’s scored a total of 97 points in three years. After him, they’re looking at redshirt freshman Daniel Miller, who sat out his freshman year. He actually has the most potential and will probably steal the starting spot from Sheehan.

No matter what though, if Hewitt can’t bring Hicks off the bench to spell Miller and Sheehan, then Georgia Tech will be rolling with a super-small lineup this year.

In fact, I have to ask now…does anyone really envision Paul Hewitt being the head coach of this team when these two freshman end their careers in Atlanta?

OTHER TEAM RANKINGS:

No. 11 – Clemson

No. 12 – Boston College