Is there any doubt that Geo is as good or better a college guard as Bobby Lloyd, Eddie Jordan, John Battle, Quincy Douby or Corey Sanders (my Mt. Rushmore of Rutgers guards)? Sure, some will say that Geo isn't as quick or athletic, as say or Jordan, Battle or Sanders, or as good a long range shooter, as say Douby or Lloyd, but none of these guards were as consistently clutch as Geo has been throughout his career. He has the elite combination of ball handling, shooting, passing and defensive skills that you don't see too often these days. He has single handily won 5 games this year with one miraculous shot after another. And no one who follows RU will ever forget his coming out Garden party during his freshman year against Purdue.
As a season ticket holder, I often invite friends and colleagues (most are avid college basketball fans) who have never been to the RAC or watched a Rutgers game. Over the past 3 years, almost every invitee has told me that Geo is RU's best player on the floor and that they think he has a shot at getting drafted or making it in the NBA. Typically, I would respond by saying that he "might" be RU's best player, but that I can't see him making it in today's NBA because it seems that NBA guards are slightly quicker, stronger and more athletic than him.
Guess what -- I was wrong. Geo can create his own shot, is a very good passer and defender and, if he continues to get stronger with of season strength workouts, he just might be athletic enough to make it.
In thinking of what college-NBA player Geo reminds me of, I have settled on Pete Maravich. Geo is certainly not as flashy a ball handler or passer as Maravich, but they both could create their shot anytime they wanted, were both about the same size with a similar body type (rangy) and athleticism, and they both consistently made/make difficult shots. Check out this Youtube mixtape from Maravich's college years: .
Imagine if Geo puts his name into the NBA draft (you can opt out) and gets good feedback? That would be so classic for RU if -- out of the blue -- we lose our best player to a "surprise" NBA selection. I don't think its too far fetched. If Geo has a few more big shots in him during the BIG 10 Tourney or NCAA run, then I would not be shocked if he gets great feedback from the NBA. If Donte DiVincenzo can get drafted in the first round off of his NCAA tourney performance, why can't Geo?
As a season ticket holder, I often invite friends and colleagues (most are avid college basketball fans) who have never been to the RAC or watched a Rutgers game. Over the past 3 years, almost every invitee has told me that Geo is RU's best player on the floor and that they think he has a shot at getting drafted or making it in the NBA. Typically, I would respond by saying that he "might" be RU's best player, but that I can't see him making it in today's NBA because it seems that NBA guards are slightly quicker, stronger and more athletic than him.
Guess what -- I was wrong. Geo can create his own shot, is a very good passer and defender and, if he continues to get stronger with of season strength workouts, he just might be athletic enough to make it.
In thinking of what college-NBA player Geo reminds me of, I have settled on Pete Maravich. Geo is certainly not as flashy a ball handler or passer as Maravich, but they both could create their shot anytime they wanted, were both about the same size with a similar body type (rangy) and athleticism, and they both consistently made/make difficult shots. Check out this Youtube mixtape from Maravich's college years: .
Imagine if Geo puts his name into the NBA draft (you can opt out) and gets good feedback? That would be so classic for RU if -- out of the blue -- we lose our best player to a "surprise" NBA selection. I don't think its too far fetched. If Geo has a few more big shots in him during the BIG 10 Tourney or NCAA run, then I would not be shocked if he gets great feedback from the NBA. If Donte DiVincenzo can get drafted in the first round off of his NCAA tourney performance, why can't Geo?
