Former Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie’s decision to leave after his sophomore year for the NBA left coach Josh Pastner with an open scholarship. Going into the season with 12 scholarship players, one under the 13-player maximum, looks like a strong possibility.
“We’ll just play it by ear,” Pastner told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “There’s not a lot of guys left out there. We’ve looked under every stone you could possibly look under.”
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Pastner’s efforts to replace Okogie were affected by the timeline of the early-entry process. Okogie declared for the draft shortly after the season ended in March, but did not sign with an agent, leaving open the possibility to return to Tech (and keep his scholarship). He decided to stay in the draft on May 21. By that point, the top remaining high-school prospects and college players seeking transfers had already made their decisions.
Were Tech to not award a scholarship, it would be open for the 2019-20 class, when Pastner would then have three scholarships available.
Banks showing well
Transfer center James Banks has made a positive impression on Pastner after a couple weeks of workouts.
“He can run, he blocks shots,” Pastner said. “Georgia Tech’s going to love him. Fans are absolutely going to love James Banks.”
In two seasons at Texas, Banks averaged 1.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 10.7 minutes per game. He is 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds. Banks, who grew up in Decatur, will sit out this coming season and have two years of eligibility remaining.
Pastner said that Banks needs to add strength and work on his post-up game.
“He’s just got to be able to score,” Pastner said. “Quick hook – left hand, right hand. He can be a pro.”
Injury updates
The team began offseason workouts June 11 and will go for eight consecutive weeks. Players can be with coaches for four hours a week, which Pastner will split up into three 40-minute sessions and two one-hour practices.
Sophomore guards Curtis Haywood and Jose Alvarado are “full go,” Pastner said, after recuperating from season-ending injuries. Haywood had a stress reaction in his right shin and Alvarado fractured his left elbow.
The injury bug continues to bite, however. Forward Abdoulaye Gueye twisted an ankle last week. Guard Shembarri Phillips hurt his wrist on the first day of workouts and was to be out for three weeks.
