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Monday, May 20, 2013 9:20 p.m.

Smith Center hardwood gets new D.C.-decorated design

by Nick Ong

GW unveiled a new floor design for the Smith Center Monday, highlighting D.C. landmarks.

The National Mall will become GW basketball’s playground next year. Or, at least, it will look like it.

The athletics department unveiled new Smith Center floor plans Monday, featuring a design adorned with District monuments like the White House, Capitol building and Washington Monument. The court will be completed by the end of the summer.

“When people around the world are watching our games, we want them to immediately recognize and understand the university’s unique setting in the middle of the action in this world-class city,” athletic director Patrick Nero said in a release.

Keeping the same buff and blue colors, the court now artistically pays tribute to some of the many famous monuments that serve as the backdrop of the University.

In addition, the new design gives fans a taste of what GW has pushed to improve spirit in the last year, with #RaiseHigh to be lettered on the side of one baseline.

Universities nationwide have increasingly turned toward new court designs to serve as branding devices, like University of Oregon’s court, which resembles a forest of fir trees.

Both the volleyball team and men’s and women’s basketball teams will play their entire 2013-14 seasons on the new court, including next yeas’s A-10 volleyball championship, which is scheduled to be held at GW in November.

The athletics department did not immediately return request for comment on the cost of implementing the new design.

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Monday, May 13, 2013 2:59 p.m.

Men’s basketball reportedly nabs wing shooter for 2014-2015

by Nick Ong

Updated: May 17, 2013, 9:45 a.m.

Head coach Mike Lonergan has reportedly snagged his newest recruit of the offseason, as Virginia Episcopal School’s Anthony Swan has committed to GW, a source told CBS Sports.

Those reports were confirmed by ABC-13 WSET-TV on Thursday, stating that Swan, who is the cousin of head associate coach Hajj Turner, has committed to GW. Swan had narrowed down his choices to GW, Miami and Cincinnati, but ultimately decided that becoming a Colonial would be the best fit for him.

Mike Longergan

Men’s basketball head coach Mike Lonergan has now had his first recruit join for 2014-15, CBS Sports reported. | Hatchet File Photo

Swan, a 6-foot-7 small forward, is a high school junior, so he will not arrive to play on campus until 2014-15, making him the first recruit to declare for that season.

He joins the list of 2013 offseason recruits that includes Skyler White and Miguel Cartegena.

“He’s just a very reserved person, always very positive even through negative times – bad losses and things like that,” Curtis Staples, Swan’s head coach at Virginia Episcopal, said. “He’s always the guy that tells everybody it’s gonna get better, so he’s definitely one of those guys that you want to have in your locker room.”

Last season, Swan averaged 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks for his varsity VES team that went 21-4,5-1 in the extremely competitive Virginia Independent Conference.

Swan’s wing shooting skills will help fill the hole left by recent transfer Lasan Kromah, and could form to a strong combination with White, known for his three-point shot.

“Anthony’s biggest strength is his shooting. He’s a great shooter, so he’s able to stretch defenses and create a lot of problems for a lot of opposing teams because he’s so athletic,” Staples said.

This has been an up-and-down off season for Lonergan, with Kromah, Jonathan Davis and David Pellom leaving the program, and former recruit Nigel Johnson de-commiting from GW.

It is not known at the time whether Swan will receive one of the available scholarship slots upon his graduation next year.
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013 8:55 p.m.

Davidson Wildcats tabbed to join A-10

by Nick Ong

Updated: May 8, 2013, 11:41 a.m.

The Atlantic 10 will welcome Davidson – a consistent March Madness contender – to the conference for the 2014-2015 season, the college announced Wednesday.

Davidson guard Nik Cochran shoots from foul line during a February game. The Wildcats will join the Atlantic 10 starting in the 2014-2015 season, the university will announce Wednesday. Photo by Mark Runyon and used under the Creative Commons license

Davidson’s signing is the second by the A-10 this off season, after regional rival George Mason agreed to join the A-10 in March for the 2013-14 season. The addition is a big get for a conference that recently lost powerhouses Xavier and Butler to the new Big East, Charlotte to Conference USA, and Temple to the American Athletic Conference.

“Once again the Atlantic 10 has shown its commitment to being a premier conference, and in the always changing landscape of conference realignment, the conference has proven to be proactive in adding quality universities that will augment our reputation and keep us thriving,” GW’s athletic director Patrick Nero said in a release Wednesday.

The deal not only makes up for one of the vacant slots, but could also entice other potential A-10 fleers like Saint Louis, Dayton, Richmond and VCU to stay in the basketball-heavy conference that is trying to gain prominence as conference realignment shakes up the college sports world.

Davidson, based in southern North Carolina, previously turned down an opportunity last year to leave the Southern Conference for the CAA, the conference that George Mason most recently left. The Wildcats have played in the Southern Conference for eight decades, and is one of its oldest members.

Last season, Davidson finished with a 26-8 record overall, and a 17-1 record in conference. They came up just a last second lay up short from defeating No.3 seed Marquette in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Since 2006, the team has moved onto March Madness five times.

 

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013 8:18 p.m.

David Pellom to transfer to Memphis

by Nick Ong

Almost a month after David Pellom was granted a release from the men’s basketball team, the senior forward will officially leave the Colonials to head to the University of Memphis.

Then-junior forward David Pellom drives to the basket during the 2011-2012 season. He’ll head to Memphis and be able to play immediately. Hatchet File Photo

The news was first reported by The Commercial Appeal, a Tennessee newspaper, Tuesday night.

His official transfer marks an offseason in which head coach Mike Lonergan has seen two other players – sophomore Jonathan Davis and senior Lasan Kromah – leave the program. Former recruit Nigel Johnson also decommitted to head to Kansas State, another sour note in the Colonials’ offseason.

Following his release on March 26, Pellom still had the opportunity to return to GW for his final season of eligibility, though that was always an unlikely scenario. With Memphis, Pellom will be able to play right away as a graduate student transfer.

Pellom’s departure leaves junior forward Nemaja Mikic as the final player on the roster who was recruited by former Colonials’ head coach Karl Hobbs.

The news officially opens up another roster and scholarship slot for next year’s team, even after the offseason additions of Nick Griffin, Skyler White and Miguel Cartagena.

Pellom did not play a single game for the Colonials this past season, sidelined by a series of surgeries in the offseason, as well as a lingering left wrist issue.  During his junior season, Pellom led GW in rebounds, averaging 6.1 a game over 27 games. On the offensive side, he set a single-season shooting record on 68.5 percent shooting.

 

 

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Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:44 p.m.

Miguel Cartagena, Skyler White commit to join Colonials

by Elizabeth Traynor

Clarification appended

The men’s basketball team picked up two new members for the 2013-14 season Thursday, with guard Migual Cartagena signing a National Letter of Intent and forward Skyler White committing to join GW.

The two players fill up slots left empty by recent departures from the program, including senior guard Lasan Kromah, sophomore forward Jonathan Davis and, potentially, senior forward David Pellom. They join guard Nick Griffin as new additions to GW’s roster. Nigel Johnson recently decommitted from the program, a move that allows the recruit to explore other programs while leaving the door open for a return to GW.

White previously verbally committed to the Colonials as a walk-on forward. Despite the recent moves, White remains a walk-on for GW, meaning that he does not take up a scholarship slot. The Colonials are left with two open scholarships, possibly three should Johnson decide to join another program.

“Miguel and Skyler boast two key attributes needed to help make our program successful – they can both really shoot it and come from a culture of winning,” head coach Mike Lonergan said in a release. “They’re both very solid perimeter shooters, and both played for national championship caliber teams this past season, in addition to their time playing in international competitions. Miguel and Skyler will join Nick in providing an added dimension to our group of five returning starters.”

Cartagena, a  6-foot-1 guard from Aibonito, Puerto Rico, currently competes for Montverde Academy in Orlando, Fla., the same school that freshman forward Patricio Garino attended. It’s also the high school where GW assistant coach Kevin Sutton served as the athletic director and boys’ basketball coach from 2004-2011.

Cartagena helped the Eagles to a 48-6 record over the past two seasons, including trips to the 2012 and 2013 ESPN National High School Invitational championship games. As a senior, Cartagena played a role in helping Montverde achieve a No. 1 final national ranking in all three major polls- ESPN, USA Today and Prep Nation - with a 25-2 season record.

“Miguel is a very good shooter who will give us another ball handler next season,”  Lonergan said. “His experience playing FIBA and for the top high school program in the nation will help him make the adjustment to the high level of play in the Atlantic 10.”

 White, best known as a three-point specialist, currently plays for Northfield Mount Hermon High School in Gill, Mass. This season, he aided  the Hoggers in compiling a 29-5 overall record and the 2013 National Prep Championship title. White was also nominated for McDonald’s All-America honors.
“Skyler gives us another good three-point shooter and provides depth at the forward position,” Lonergan said.

This post was updated April 18, 2013 to reflect the following:
The headline was altered to clarify that Skyler White has committed to join the Colonials but, as a walk-on recruit, has not signed a letter of intent.
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Tuesday, April 9, 2013 11:07 a.m.

Kevin Sutton submits name for Florida Gulf Coast coaching job

by Elizabeth Traynor
men's basketball assistant coach Kevin Sutton

Men’s basketball assistant coach Kevin Sutton. Hatchet File Photo

Updated 2:01 p.m.

Men’s basketball assistant coach Kevin Sutton wants to go to Dunk City.

He’s submitted his name for the head coach opening at Florida Gulf Coast University, Seth Soffian of The News-Press reports. The slot is open after Andy Enfield accepted the USC coaching position, following FGCU’s Cinderella run in the NCAA tournament this year.

Athletics communications declined to make Sutton available for comment, and said there would be no statement from anyone with the program on the news.

Sutton is one of many coaches to express interest in the position, according to the News-Press. Should GW’s assistant coach get hired, he would also be the latest in a series of departures for the men’s basketball team that include the transfers of senior guard Lasan Kromah and sophomore forward Jonathan Davis, the potential transfer of senior forward David Pellom and the de-commitment of heralded recruit Nigel Johnson.

Head coach Mike Lonergan has not commented on the program’s departures beyond statements in press releases. The athletics communication department has declined to make both Lonergan and players available for comment.

Should the assistant coach depart the program, it would likely be a blow to Lonergan’s recruiting system, now of crucial importance with the multiple roster hits the team’s taken in recent weeks.

Sutton is in his second season with the Colonials, after Lonergan brought him on in May 2011. Prior to his stint in Foggy Bottom, Sutton boasted Florida ties, serving as the athletic director and head coach of the boys’ basketball team at Montverde Academy for eight years. Under his leadership, the Eagles earned a 2007 National Title and were 2010 National High School Invitational Runners-Up. Montverde was No. 13 in the final USA Today rankings in 2011, finishing the season with a 22-4 record.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013 5:27 p.m.

Lasan Kromah to transfer from GW

by Elizabeth Traynor

Junior guard Lasan Kromah heads to the rim against Dayton last season. | Hatchet File Photo

Senior guard Lasan Kromah will transfer from the Colonials next season, a press release announced today.

Because he will be a graduate student transfer, Kromah will be eligible to play right away at any program he chooses to join.

“We appreciate the contributions Lasan has made to our team and we wish him the best in all that lies ahead for him,” head coach Mike Lonergan said in a release.

Athletics communications said Lonergan would not be commenting further on Kromah’s decision. Student-athletes cannot speak to the media without the approval of the athletics communications department.

The news likely takes the head coach by surprise. He told The Hatchet last week that he envisioned Kromah as a starter next year, after the senior spent much of this season providing an off-the-bench spark for the Colonials.

“We decided to bring Lasan off the bench [this season],” Lonergan said. “I thought it was good for [freshman forward] Kethan [Savage], because if Kethan wasn’t playing great, we could always bring Lasan in. It’s hard to bring a freshman off the bench – if he’s not playing well, then you don’t have anybody else. I give Lasan credit – we talked a lot about that, and he was willing to accept that role for the team. And he was still playing starter minutes.”

It’s the latest in a series of player-related blows for GW. Sophomore forward Jonathan Davis will also depart from the program at the end of this year, and senior forward David Pellom has been granted a release. Additionally, standout recruit Nigel Johnson recently de-committed from the program.

Should Pellom depart, given the graduation of Dwayne Smith and Bryan Bynes, that would leave just junior forward Nemanja Mikic as the only player not recruited by Lonergan, who is in his second year at the helm of the team.

Taken altogether, the substitutions seriously deplete a lineup that already struggled heavily with shooting and establishing a potent offensive game.

Kromah was an explosive force for GW during his freshman campaign, averaging 11.8 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting. But he tore a lisfranc ligament in his left foot, sidelining him for his entire sophomore year. Kromah returned to the Colonials’ lineup as a junior, but struggled at times to regain his once-commanding presence on the hardwood before stepping into a leadership role as a senior this year.

Kromah departs GW averaging 11.0 points per game on 44.2 percent shooting with an average of 4.05 rebounds per game.

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Friday, March 29, 2013 3:42 p.m.

Nigel Johnson decommits from GW

by Elizabeth Traynor

Updated 5:16 p.m.

Incoming recruit Nigel Johnson is decommiting from GW.

“He just thinks that everything was going so fast for him that he wanted to take a step back and re-assess his decision,” Louis Wilson, the head coach at Riverdale Baptist, where Johnson is a senior, said.

Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The guard was slated to be a member of the Colonials’ 2013-14 recruiting class, where he would have joined recruits Nick Griffin and Skyler White. But unlike Griffin, Johnson had yet to sign his National Letter of Intent, giving rise to speculation that he was considering cutting ties with GW.

He’s had an explosive senior year at Riverdale Baptist, which Wilson said may factor into Johnson’s desire to explore other options and potentially higher-level programs

“I’m sure, in the back of his mind, that’s a thought. I think that he just thought that he rushed into his situation early on and now he wants to take a step back and re-evaluate what he has,” Wilson said. “He only took, I believe he took two official visits, and I think he wants to find three more official visits so he can feel like he has completed the recruiting process.”

Wilson said he is unaware of any other schools Johnson may be considering.

“Not at this point,” Wilson said. “He just decommitted as I understand, last night.”

Johnson’s departure is a blow for head coach Mike Lonergan and the Colonials, who were already looking to incoming recruits as desperately needed boosters for the team’s shooting performance.

Wilson said that Johnson’s decision to decommit should not cast a negative light on the GW coaching staff, adding that the Colonials were always an attractive option for the senior guard.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with the coaching staff at GW. They’ve been fantastic, they’ve been awesome,” Wilson said. “I’m sure it has nothing to do with the coaching staff.”

Johnson’s exit leaves two open slots in the Colonials’ roster, with the potential for a third to come, after the news that sophomore forward Jonathan Davis will transfer from the program and senior forward David Pellom has been given a release.

The late signing period for 2013-14 recruits begins April 17.

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013 3:03 p.m.

David Pellom granted release; Jonathan Davis to transfer

by Elizabeth Traynor

Then- junior forward David Pellom drives to the basket last season. Hatchet File Photo

Men’s basketball senior forward David Pellom has been granted a release from the team and sophomore forward Jonathan Davis intends to transfer from the Colonials, head coach Mike Lonergan said Tuesday.

Pellom’s release does not mean he will leave GW, Lonergan said, but that the forward is exploring his options. Pellom, a senior who has one year of eligibility left, could play right away as a graduate student transfer.

“We’re going to do whatever is best for him. Right after the season, we gave him his release and said, ‘hey, if you want to go look at other schools,’” Lonergan said. “We’d like to see him come back here and help us make the postseason and reach our goals, but he hasn’t played basketball in over a year and I’m not really sure what Dave’s thinking.”

Pellom did not take the court with the Colonials this season. Following a series of surgeries over the offseason, the athletics department announced that lingering issues in his left wrist would keep the forward sidelined for the remainder of 2012-13 competition.  In his junior campaign, Pellom was GW’s leading rebounder, averaging 6.1 a game over 27 games played and set a single-season shooting record on 68.5 percent shooting.

“We’ve always done what’s best for him,” Lonergan said. “That’s something that will be decided in the next few weeks. I just wish he played this year. That was our goal, to get the freshmen some experience and by January have him join the team.”

Davis, a sophomore, has played 44 minutes over 23 games as a Colonial, averaging .4 points a game on 44.4 percent shooting and .3 rebounds per game. His decision to transfer, Lonergan said, is born of a desire to head to a program where he can have more of an impact – much like Isaiah Armwood’s thought process when transferring from Villanova to GW.

“Jonathan Davis, we met with a week ago. He’s a great guy,” Lonergan said. “With Jonathan, going into your third year, if you were ever going to go somewhere and play for them, you really had to make that move. We’re going to be sad to lose him as a friend and a teammate for our players.”

The news opens up at least one, and maybe two, roster slots for next year’s team. Nigel Johnson, who has verbally committed, and Nick Griffin, who signed a letter of intent, claimed two Colonial scholarships as 2013-14 recruits, while Skyler White has committed to the team as a walk-on forward.

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Sunday, March 24, 2013 7:52 p.m.

Report: George Mason to join Atlantic 10

by Elizabeth Traynor

The Colonials are finally getting a crosstown conference rival: George Mason is coming to the Atlantic 10.

basketball

Former Colonial Joe Katuka attempts to get around two George Mason defenders at a game two years ago. Hatchet File Photo

Steven Goff, The Washington Post’s beat reporter for the Patriots, tweeted that the program will join the A-10 effective July 1. His tweet came on the heels of press releases released by both George Mason and the Atlantic 10 touting “major announcements” tomorrow.

The addition is the latest in a series of changes for the A-10 amid the shaky world of conference realignment. It started with the announced departures of Temple and Charlotte, who were then replaced by Butler and VCU. But the Big East break-up gave rise to the recent developments that will see the Bulldogs and Xavier depart the Atlantic 10 next season.

George Mason was a founding member of the Colonial Athletic Association, its current league, in 1985, and will rejoin VCU, another former C.A.A. member, in the A-10. Early exit fees from the C.A.A. total $1 million, the same as the A-10.

The Patriots’ men’s basketball team is currently competing in the College Basketball Invitational, and will host Houston in the quarterfinals Monday. The team has a 19-14 overall record this season. George Mason last made the NCAA tournament in the 2010-11 season. In 2006, it made the Final Four.

The Patriots also bring an added edge to competition with the Colonials: in addition to being a District-rival, former GW assistant head coach Roland Houston now coaches for George Mason. His departure from the Colonials, following the fire of former head coach Karl Hobbs, was one of a chain of cascading events that ultimately resulted in Erik Copes playing for the Patriots instead of GW. At the time, Copes was regarded as the best recruit Hobbs ever brought to Foggy Bottom.

In the end, the quick addition of George Mason to the A-10′s ranks is hardly surprising. Athletic director Patrick Nero previously told The Hatchet that the league was ready to answer decisively should programs depart. The searches for VCU and Butler, he said, created a short list of other potential additions, a list George Mason was long rumored to lead.

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