BROOKLYN, N.Y. — For three straight seasons, George Washington has sent one of its products to the NBA, the only school in the Atlantic 10 Conference to make that claim.
Patricio Garino of Argentina played for the Orlando Magic in 2016-17, American Tyler Cavanaugh played in 39 games with the Atlanta Hawks last season and Japanese native Yuta Watanabe signed this past summer to a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
“It is great for our program,” coach Maurice Joseph said. “It shows recruits we have the best of both worlds at GW. Off the court as well, we have guys getting high-level jobs.”
But while GW produces its share of professional stars, the Colonials have fallen in the league standings the past few years.
Joseph is trying to reverse that trend, getting ready to start his third season as coach.
“We all have to win games,” Joseph said. “That is our livelihood. (But) we like to look at the whole experience of the student-athlete and set them up for life after basketball.”
The Canada native said he is just as proud of graduates who are now in the business world as those in the NBA.
“I call them my living trophies,” he said. “I am proud of the men they have become. We all had a hand in developing them … As coaches we have an unbelievable responsibility and opportunity to impact lives.”
The Foggy Bottom program finished fifth in the conference in 2015-16, sixth in 2016-17 and 11th last season. GW was picked to finish 13th on Thursday by media and coaches at the annual media day events at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn — the site of the Atlantic 10 Tournament in March.
Joseph became the interim coach at GW after former mentor Mike Lonergan was fired in September 2016 and had the interim tag removed after his first season. A former player at Vermont under Lonergan, Joseph admits the coaching change hurt the school’s recruiting efforts.
“Anytime you have a program with a coach as an interim it is going to be tough to recruit,” Joseph said. “It definitely slows things down a little bit. Now all that stuff is in the past. Our class of 2019, we are really excited about. The direction our program is headed is extremely positive.”
GW will be paced this season sophomore guard Terry Nolan, Jr. of Baltimore, sophomore point guard Justin Mazzulla and redshirt junior guard Armel Potter.
Nolan averaged 9.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game last season and was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference preseason all-defensive team.
“Terry had a great summer,” Joseph said. “He has become more polished.”
Mazzulla played in all 33 games last season, became a starter in the second half, and led the team with 67 assists. Potter arrives as a transfer from Charleston Southern, where he scored 13.8 points per contest two seasons ago.
GW has no scholarship seniors on its roster this season.
“Our guys are aware of that,” Joseph said. “They are excited about this season but we are excited about the future. You win with guys who are battle tested. We will have five seniors next year.”
The Colonials host Division III Catholic in an exhibition game Oct. 28 and then begin regular-season play at home Nov. 6 against Stony Brook.
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