NEW YORK — Jessie Govan plans to be on Georgetown’s campus by May 30 and hopes to continue his winning ways beginning with the Hoyas’ exhibition trip to Italy in August.
“The plan is to leave May 30th and go down there for some summer classes. They want me to get some credits in because we go to Italy in August,” the 6-foot-11 Govan told SNY.tv after going for 10 points and 7 rebounds Friday night when the Away Team beat the Home Team, 125-112, in the Jordan Classic Regional Game at Barclays Center.
Govan has done nothing but win in recent weeks — and he should make an immediate impact upon stepping onto the Georgetown campus.
Last month, Govan went for 17 points and 17 rebounds to go with 3 blocks as Wings Academy beat defending champion Cardozo, 50-46, in the PSAL “AA” division city championship game at Madison Square Garden.
He then went for 24 points as Wings beat Rawle Alkins and Christ the King, the two-time defending New York State Federation ‘AA’ champs, to capture the State crown.
“I accomplished all my high school goals for the season, winning the city championship and the state championship, leading my team, but it was great,” he said. “It was great to go out my senior year and win the state championship and go out on top.”
All of that winning has Georgetown coach John Thompson III excited about what he’s getting.
“We’ve also got big Jessie Govan coming in as a freshman and he’s going to add a different element,” JT3 told Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com “Offensively, he can do a lot of different things. He’s big, he’s physical, but at the same time he’s really skilled. He’s got a great feel for the game.”
Georgetown, obviously, has a long history of successful big men dating back to Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo right down through Roy Hibbert.
Govan has spoken to Hibbert on the phone and hopes to follow his path.
“He just told me he’s excited for me to go down there,” Govan said. “He heard a lot of great things about me so hopefully I can show myself to him.”
Govan figures to step in and potentially start and be on the Preseason All-Big East Rookie team right away.
“They’re going to throw me right into the fire,” he said. “They want me to to come down there and try to make an impact right away. I have to learn their offense, learn the ins and outs of their offense and their defense real quick. Get some chemistry with the guys real quick.”
One guy he will be getting chemistry with is rising senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, who should be the Big East Preseason Player of the Year again after opting to return to campus for his senior year instead of head to the NBA Draft.
He averaged 16.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season.
“Yeah, that’s definitely great,” Govan said. “I played with him when I went on my official visit, practice, and he gave me some really great pep talks and stuff like that. Just how the game is going to be when I get there, so it’s great to have him back. He makes the game easier for all of us so it’s going to be great having him next year.”
Georgetown also returns star freshman Isaac Copeland, and Tre Campbell, L.J. Peak, and Paul White will all be a year older, too.
The Hoyas continue to have trouble advancing in March, but Govan hopes his winning ways will carry over and help them go deep next March.
“Definitely, I want to get down there and be a difference-maker,” he said. “Maybe get into a Final Four, just try to win games in the [NCAA] Tournament. Definitely make the Tournament every year but I’m there, but try to win games in the Tournament, that’s definitely a goal of mine.”
