Georgia Basketball Roster Overview

With Georgia Football on a bye this week, there was no media availability from head coach Kirby Smart and players on Monday. Rather, Georgia basketball head coach Mike White and returning guards Silas Demary Jr. and Blue Cain spoke to the media. With just over a month until exhibition games begin, there was plenty to talk about, specifically with roster construction and the many new faces.

Heading into year three for White at Georgia, the program has taken major strides in improving. Last season, the team made it to the NIT semifinals. White said that it was not only impactful for the late-season development of the three returners but also important for recruiting.
 

However, an NCAA Tournament bid still evades the Bulldogs, sporting the longest drought in the SEC, with their last appearance in the 2015-2016 season. While White didn't touch on the tournament or give concrete expectations, he did make a point to say that this should be a good basketball team, one that can compete in what might be the best conference in the sport, in its deepest year. White said he doesn't expect Georgia to win the SEC or even be right at the top, but no opponent should see the Dawgs as a cakewalk.

As for the roster construction, the team will look almost entirely different. Here's a brief roster overview.

Key Returners

While much of last year's production is gone, three freshman starters return, looking to take a jump in year two. White spoke highly of guards Silas Demary Jr., Blue Cain and forward Dylan James, as they've continued to work on their game during the offseason and look to become leaders on the team, especially for the many newcomers. 

Silas Demary Jr. -  Last year, as a freshman, the six-foot-five guard played in 37 games, starting in 36. Demary averaged 9.7 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Demary flashed at times, playing fast downhill, being able to get to the basket, along with utilizing his size and length to make big defensive plays and grab rebounds. Heading into this season, Demary said he's working on becoming a leader for the team while improving his shooting, a struggle at times for him last year.

Demary contemplated leaving Georgia via the transfer portal following the conclusion of last season, but ultimately wanted to run it back in Athens.

Blue Cain - Cain played in 37 games last season, starting in nine, averaging 7.4 points per game and 2.5 rebounds. For Cain this offseason, it was all about shooting the ball more efficiently and being confident to let it fly when open. During his freshman campaign, Cain proved to be capable of great shooting performances but found cold streaks at times. His best game came against Missouri in the SEC Tournament, when he scored 19 points, thanks to five threes.

Dylan James - James only played in 22 games, starting eight, but made an impact heating up down the stretch of his freshman season. Against Wake Forest in the NIT quarterfinals, he had his best game, scoring 14 points on 5-9 from the field. White said that James has put on some weight this offseason and he was impressed with his strength.

Freshmen

Perhaps coach White's biggest win thus far in his tenure at Georgia has been his recruiting. In the class of 2024, Georgia finished with the No. 10 recruiting class in the country, ahead of notable programs such as Connecticut and Kansas. With four new freshmen on the team, five-star Asa Newell headlines the bunch, as Georgia's first five-star signee since Anthony Edwards and the second-highest-rated signee in program history.

Asa Newell - The buzz around Newell is palpable, and for good reason. He was rated by 247Sports as the No. 19 player in the class, and the No. 4 power forward. At six-foot-nine, he provides immediate size to the front court. White, Demary and Cain all raved about what they've seen so far, citing his motor and pure athletic ability.

Somto Cyril - A late addition to the class, Georgia was able to sign Somto Cyril over Kentucky. The six-foot-ten center out of Atlanta was the No. 4 player in the state. While it hasn't been seen yet publicly, White said Cyril is making a jaw-dropping play nearly every day in practice.

Savo Dzregic - Originally from Serbia, Drezgic was a three-star point guard out of DME Academy in Florida. Watch for Dzregic's playmaking to make an immediate impact on the Georgia offense.

Jordyn Kee - Kee was a three-star combo guard out of Florida who signed in June. In a very deep backcourt, Kee will be competing throughout practice and the scrimmages to earn more time on the court this season, but the athleticism he possesses will go a long way.

Transfers

Georgia lost nine letter winners after last season, so utilizing the transfer portal was imperative. White brought in five players, all with experience, some even at the Power Four level.

Tyrin Lawerence - Lawerence is a graduate transfer from Vanderbilt, providing immediate SEC experience for this Georgia roster in 2024-2025. Lawrence played four seasons at Vanderbilt and averaged 13.8 PPG, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season for the Commodores. If the shooting improves, Lawerence could carve out a big role and provide veteran experience having played in the SEC for multiple years. 

RJ Godfrey - Godfrey was a part of Clemson’s deep run to the Elite 8 and will join the Bulldogs as another Power Four transfer. Last season, Godfrey averaged 6.1 points but had one of his best games in the Elite 8 against Alabama, scoring 12 with two rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Justin Abson - Abson transfers to Georgia from Appalachian State after two years, winning the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The six-foot-nine shot-blocking forward averaged 2.8 blocks per game last season.

Dakota Leffew - Originally from Georgia, Leffew transferred to UGA after four years at Mount St. Mary’s. Last season, the guard averaged 17.6 PPG and had 26 points, going 10-18 against Georgia in December. 

De’Shayne Montgomery - Teammates with Leffew at Mount St. Mary’s, Montgomery transferred to Georgia after his freshman season. Listed at six-foot-five, the guard averaged 13.2 PPG last season, scoring 23 against Georgia.

Heading into the season, White was very pleased with how the team has looked and the culture within the building. The team will scrimmage Charlotte and then UCF before beginning its regular season on Nov. 4 against Tennessee Tech at home.

Is this the year the Bulldogs find themselves back in the NCAA Tournament?