Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2023-2024 Result: 14-18 record (7-13 ACC), No Postseason appearance

Projected Starting Lineup

Head Coach: Damon Stoudamire (2nd season)

Guard: Naithan George (SO)

Guard: Javian McCollum (SR)

Forward: Kowacie Reeves Jr (SR)

Forward: Luke O’Brien (5th year)

Forward: Baye Ndongo (SO)

Key Additions

Javian McCollum (Oklahoma)

Luke O’Brien (Colorado)

Jaeden Mustaf (4-star recruit)

Darrion Sutton (4-star recruit)

Doryan Onwuchekwa (4-star recruit)

Key Losses

Miles Kelly

Tafara Gapare

Dallan Coleman

The Yellow Jacket offense will go as its backcourt of Naithan George and Javian McCollum go, and they have the upside to be one of the best guard combos in the ACC. Their ability to create advantages along with their passing ability will be important to give open perimeter looks for guys like Kowacie Reeves, Luke O’Brien and Lance Terry along with freeing up talented Sophomore center Baye Ndongo. The pick and roll duo of Naithan George and Baye Ndongo is something to watch for, as head coach Damon Stoudemire runs a heavy pick and roll offense that saw success with this combo a year ago. The 2 man game of George and Ndongo will be another great option to create a good shot within this offense. Overall, I am pretty high on this offense and believe it can be a top 5 unit in the ACC. 

It is a different story on the defensive end for Georgia Tech, as they may have some major flaws. That starts with the backcourt duo of George and McCollum. Neither one of these guards have displayed the ability to be even average defenders, so opposing backcourts may be able to feast. The frontcourt is certainly better defensively with the combo of O’Brien and Ndongo. Ndongo is a versatile 5 man with decent rim protection skills, but he may have a little too much on his shoulders to keep this defense competent. The Yellow Jackets may have to rely on 4-star Freshmen Jaeden Mustaf and Darrion Sutton to provide some help on the perimeter and they do project to be solid in that area, but it remains to be seen if these 2 are ready for big rotation minutes in the ACC. 

While this offense has the potential to be dangerous, it will ultimately be the defense that holds back the Yellow Jackets from being one of the elites in the ACC. Georgia Tech is a team I project to be dangerous in a tournament setting with the guard play being capable of holding their own against almost anyone, but they may not quite have enough to make their way into the NCAA tournament in the 2024-2025 season.