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Curtis Haywood is reportedly looking to transfer from Georgia Tech (per Evan Daniels). Haywood came to Tech from Oklahoma (although he went to high school in New Hampshire). He came in with a reputation as a knock down three point shooter who could help Tech spread the floor and make an impact on that side of the ball immediately.
During his freshman year Haywood showed promise, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He wasn’t quite ready to play, but a lack of experience in front of him meant he got plenty of play time and even started seven games. He hit 37% of his threes which seemed promising for the future. He missed the final third of the season with a leg injury. Haywood started this year back in the starting lineup, but soon found himself cycling in and out of the lineup as he struggled to make his three point shots, ostensibly his biggest strength. He started off the season relatively strong, but following a huge 15 point performance against Syracuse his shooting fell off a cliff. He ended the season hitting only 5-44 from deep in his last 13 regular season games. Many of those were not close. With his shot not falling he spent more time on the bench in favor of Khalid Moore and Moses Wright.
With Haywood’s apparent transfer, there is a lot of uncertainty for next year’s lineup. Tech has five open scholarships and only one (Jordan Usher) is definitely filled so far. Usher is a transfer so will likely have to sit at least part of the season. With Haywood’s absence, this team is looking extremely thin at guard and wing. Jose Alvarado and Mike Devoe are sure starters and Moses Wright looks like a good bet to play a lot of minutes at the four. Moore and Kristian Sjolund can play some minutes on the wing, but neither is remotely proven. Shembari Phillips struggled to get on the floor this year.
The focus for Josh Pastner right now is definitely on filling the remaining four roster spots. With the end of the season heating up expect to see Georgia Tech going after transfers, the few recruits left who have not committed, and recruits leaving their commitments after their coach leaves (a la Evan Cole).
Good luck Curtis!