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The loss of Robert Carter Jr., along with Daniel Miller and Kammeon Holsey, definitely challenged Coach Brian Gregory and staff to figure out a game plan for how to replace their post presence for the upcoming season. Together, the three of those players averaged 29.8 ppg and 21.2 rpg.
Robert Sampson transferred into Georgia Tech's program last summer and has been a redshirt for the past year. He has been able to learn the system that Gregory has developed and I believe that he will be a major contributor to Tech's post in the coming months.
Georgia Tech Athletics reported yesterday that Demarco Cox (Mississippi), Nick Jacobs (Alabama), and Charles Mitchell (Maryland) would be transferring into the Georgia Tech program. These three players are in addition to incoming freshmen, Ben Lammers and A.D. Gueye, and I would expect that all will be competing for starting spots the next two years.
Demarco Cox is a 6-8, 276lb. center that is expected to be graduating from Mississippi this summer. He will be a fifth-year transfer and would be eligible immediately. Cox actually started at center against Georgia Tech this season on November 29th. He played the most minutes of any player on their team (33) and put up 15 points and lead his team with 13 rebounds. Unfortunately his ppg dropped significantly for the rest of the season, along with his minutes, however he shot over 54.3% from the field. I am really excited about this addition.
Nick Jacobs averaged 8.4 ppg and 3.5 rpg last season with Alabama. He is a 6-8, 245lb forward from the metro Atlanta area. He will be sitting out the 2014-15 season and will be finishing his senior year the following season.
Charles Mitchell is a 6-8, 260lb. forward from Maryland. Mitchell also knows the Atlanta area well as he played at Wheeler HS in Marietta, GA. He has been solid for Maryland over the past two seasons, averaging 6.0 ppg and 5.8 rpg. He played in all 32 games last season and lead the team in rebounds in the last 10 games of the season. Mitchell will be applying for a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible immediately.
I am excited to say that Georgia Tech has made some very solid transfer pick ups, after being faced with pretty serious adversity. These three, along with the addition of two solid freshmen and Robert Sampson, should make the Jackets competitive on the blocks. Tech could potentially have two 6-10 freshmen, a 6-8 newcomer in Robert Sampson, and two 6-8 transfers for the 2014-15 season.
What do y'all think? Can the Jackets be competitive in the ACC this season? What do you think about Gregory's effort to bring in these three experienced veterans?