Greg Monroe, C

Beginning with the arrival of Patrick Ewing in 1981, the Hoyas boasted a lineup with an elite performer playing in their front court for more than a decade. Ewing passed the baton over to Dikembe Mutombo (1988-91), who was then succeeded by Alonzo Mourning (1988-92).

Georgetown would then have a lull in recruiting. That is, until the arrival of Monroe in 2008. The New Orleans native shunned offers from the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences to head up to the nation's capital, much to the chagrin of in-state Louisiana State fans.

While he would not match the numbers put up by his three predecessors, Monroe certainly continued the tradition of giving the team an unselfish player with the ability to not only control the paint, but also prove to be a quality passer in the Ewing mold.

He would go on to earn Big East Conference Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman, followed by a breakout sophomore campaign that saw him increase his scoring by an average of 3.4 points per game and improve his rebounding average from 6.5 boards in 2008-09 to 9.5 per game in his final season at the university.

While his time in a Georgetown uniform was all too brief, he went on to start all 65 games he suited up for, averaging 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. An ideal fit for the team's up-tempo game, he put up numbers that even a point guard would be proud of - 207 assists and 99 steals.

Monroe's inside scoring ability saw him connect on 54.3% of his field goals and 67.7% of his opportunities at the charity stripe. A physical defensive presence, he collected 531 rebounds and blocked 97 shots, as the team would improve its record to 23-11 last season after compiling a 16-15 mark during the center's first campaign with the team.

Monroe would also etch his name onto the school's record charts. His scoring average of 14.5 points ranks 19th all-time in Hoyas annals, and his 549 points scored in 2009-10 rank 18th on the annual record list. His 549 points were the most by a Georgetown player since Mike Sweetney tallied 776 during the 2002-03 schedule.

In categories usually reserved for backcourt performers, Monroe's 57 steals as a freshman tied for 25th on the school season-record list. His 128 assists as a sophomore also tied for 25th on the Hoyas' annual record book. His 328 rebounds last season rank as the seventh-highest season total by a Georgetown player, as his average of 9.6 boards per game put him 13th on the annual record list.

Monroe played four years of basketball at Helen Cox High School, where he averaged 21.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game as a senior. He led the team during the 2006-07 regular season to the top ranking in the state and the Louisiana Class 4A State Tournament second round. He was named to the McDonalds All American Team and was a two-time (2007 and 2008) Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year.

The 2007 Louisiana Mr. Basketball recipient was selected the Louisiana Class 4A Player of the Year that season and was also listed on the 2006 and 2007 Louisiana Class 4A All-State first-teams. He was chosen the 2006 and 2007 New Orleans Metro Player of the Year and received conference MVP honors as a senior.

Monroe was named EA Sports All-American second-team as a junior and received first-team national honors from Parade as a senior (also a third-team pick by that magazine during his junior season). After his senior campaign, he was invited to play in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic.

The Big East Conference Rookie of the Year averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 30.9 minutes in 31 games during 2008-09. He scored in double figures 27 times, and had a string of 17-straight double figure scoring games. He finished ninth in the league in field goal percentage (57.2%), fifth in steals (1.8 spg) and eighth in blocked shots (1.5 bpg).

Monroe was named an All-American third-team pick, adding All-Big East Conference first-team honors as a sophomore. The Big East All-Tournament selection averaged 16.1 points and 9.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks in 34.2 minutes per game last season, while connecting on 52.5% of his field goals. He was also selected as the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

On April 16, Monroe announced that he would forgo his final two years of college and submit his name for the NBA Draft. "It was mentally what I wanted to do," Monroe said. "I feel like I'm ready to make this step after working with our coaches for two years. I've enjoyed being able to represent Georgetown. I've enjoyed my experience and while I am leaving campus, I still will always be part of Georgetown."

"Greg and I, along with his family, have examined the situation and he has made an educated decision," coach John Thompson III said. "We have watched him grow as a player and as a young man while here at Georgetown. We support him and I look forward to watching and cheering him on for many years to come."

Positives: At a shade under 6-10, he does not have the ideal height you look for in a center, but his 7' 2 1/4" wingspan and 9' 0 1/2" standing reach help him compensate when trying to alter shots by bigger opponents … Few young players perform with the court vision and quick decision-making process that Monroe displays … Carries on his school's tradition of producing unselfish players, as he has to be one of the best playmakers of any frontcourt man in this draft, handing out 207 assists in 65 games (3.2 apg), including 128 as a sophomore (only center in Big East history to have a game with at least 10 assists) … Has a well-versed offensive game, especially when working around the basket, as he turned more than half of his 138 offensive boards into points last season … Still needs to improve his perimeter shooting (27.3% from three-point range), but shows the balance and footwork to pull up and deliver a mid-range jumper … Hands are soft and natural, doing a nice job of the catch-&-shoot and has the quick decision process and court vision to quickly fire the ball out to an open teammate (excels at creating shots for others) … Very fluid moving laterally and has been tought, like most Georgetown centers (see Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning), to be ready to get down court in an instant on the fast break … His court speed could see him a better fit at power forward in the NBA, especially if he continues to improve on his range … Does a nice job of distributing the ball away from the defender and has worked well with Ewing in the offseason, evident by his developing left-hand baby hook … Well-coordinated big man who has the quickness to stay with small forwards in the half-court game (another reason to like him better as a forward than in the pivot) … Moves smoothly up and down the court and shows very good body control and coordination attacking the glass for rebounds and put-backs … Good shot blocker with an effective spin move to the rim, showing good distribution while elevating … Handles the ball well in the lanes and has shown improved passing ability out of double-team action (needs to get a tighter handle on the ball to prevent the steals, though) … Stays balanced and demonstrates good footwork going for the block … Shows good creativity establishing position and has soft hands to catch most passes targeted to him … Has solid footwork in the post, but you would like to see him show more aggression around the basket (not physically tough and bigger men can cause him to struggle in the post) … When the opponent tries to double-team him, Monroe uses his passing ability to push the ball out to the open man rather than force a shot (128 assists last year) … Good at drawing contact in attempts to get to the free throw line, but needs to improve on his 67.7% success rate … Shows good touch around the basket and has developed a strong half-hook shot to add to his post moves … When not challenged hard when he gets into the post, he can utilize his high release and quick shooting stroke to cause the defender problems in attempts to block … Coordinated enough to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket … When he takes the ball to the rim, he does a good job of drawing contact … Knows that he has the ability to create his own shot inside the arc, but will need to develop a turn-around jumper to keep defenders honest at the next level … Uses his size well to keep the ball high and away from the smaller defenders.

Negatives: Unselfish to a fault and trying to create shots for others, he will keep the ball on the court too long at 6-10, inviting pesky guards to try to take a stab and steal the ball away (only Hoya with more than 100 turnovers last year) … Seems to be a predominant left-hand ball-handler (can shoot with either hand, but even there, he favors his left and can get predictable) … Has to add strength and cut down on some baby fat, as he lacks the brute power to combat when big men get physical with him in the post … Has an unorthodox shooting style at the free throw line (release point is erratic and will shot put, at times) … Has some (not much) success from mid-range, but lacks consistency and accuracy with his jumper and struggles to get a high release point when a man gets in his face at the perimeter.

Compares To: LAMAR ODOM, Los Angeles Lakers -- I don't think Monroe will be as effective at center as he might be at the four-forward spot, unless he can remake his physique, bulk up and develop a serous case of the nasties. Monroe is the type of player that works better as a role player in an up-tempo system, especially with his passing ability. Any team thinking that he is a piece to build around will find that GM on the unemployment line. Use him as a fitting piece to the puzzle and he will contribute decent, not great, numbers.

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

All-American third-team pick by The NBA Draft Report, Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches … Selected as the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year by the NABC … All-Big East Conference first-team choice, adding league All-Tournament honors … Started all 34 games, ranking second on the team in scoring with a career-best 549 points (16.1 ppg) … Hit on 202 of 385 field goals (52.5%), including 7 of 27 treys and made 138 of 209 shots (66.0%) from the foul line … Averaged 9.6 rebounds, as 74 of his 328 grabs came from the offensive glass … Finished second on the team with a career-high 128 assists … Blocked a team-best 52 shots and registered 42 steals … Ranked second on the team with 87 personal fouls (tied for the squad lead with three disqualifications) and was the only Hoya to be charged with more than 100 turnovers (112) … Had 14 double-doubles during the season, reaching double figures in scoring 30 times and had 15 games with at least 10 rebounds … Led the team in scoring 13 times, in rebounding 30 times and in assists 15 times … During the Big East Tournament, he averaged 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 54.5 percent from the floor.

Monroe was named the Big East Conference Rookie of the Year … Started 31 games as a freshman, scoring 393 points (12.7 ppg) with 203 rebounds (6.5 rpg), 79 assists (2.5 apg), 45 blocked shots (1.5 bpg) and 57 steals (1.8 spg) … Scored in double figures 27 times … Had a string of 17-straight double figure scoring games that included four double-double performances … Finished ninth in the Big East in field goal percentage (57.2%), fifth in steals and eighth in blocked shots … Blocked at least two shots 15 times … Handed out at least two assists 21 times and registered at least two steals on 16 occasions … Scored a season-high 21 points and had 10 rebounds vs. Notre Dame … Grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and scored 16 points at Syracuse.

Monroe started all 65 games that he played in at Georgetown … Ranks 19th in school history with a 14.5-point scoring average and placed 15th all-time with an average of 8.2 rebounds per game … His 531 total rebounds rank 28th on the school career-record chart, while his 99 steals rank 35th … Scored 549 points in 2009-10, the 18th-best season total by a Georgetown player and the most scored by a Hoya since Mike Sweetney tallied 776 in 2002-03 … His 57 steals in 2008-09 tied Jessie Sapp (2006-07) for 25th on the school season-record list, and his 128 assists as a sophomore also rank 25th on that respective record chart … When Monroe handed out 12 assists in a 79-70 win over Providence (2/09/10), it was the first time a Hoya player had handed out at least 10 assists since Kevin Braswell registered 10 vs. Notre Dame, eight years to the day on 2/09/02 … It also marked the first time in Big East history that a conference center was credited with at least 10 assists in a game.

Lettered four times in basketball at Helen Cox (New Orleans, La.) High School, where he averaged 21.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game as a senior … Led the team during the 2006-07 regular season the top ranking in the state and the Louisiana Class 4A State Tournament second round … Named to the McDonalds All American Team and was a two-time (2007 and 2008) Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year … The 2007 Louisiana Mr. Basketball recipient was selected the Louisiana Class 4A Player of the Year that season and was also listed on the 2006 and 2007 Louisiana Class 4A All-State first-teams … Was chosen the 2006 and 2007 New Orleans Metro Player of the Year and received conference MVP honors as a senior … Named EA Sports All-American second-team as a junior and received first-team national honors from Parade as a senior (also a third-team pick by that magazine during his junior season) … After his senior campaign, he was invited to play in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic.

Psychology major … Son of Norma Jean and Greg Monroe, Sr … Uncle, Norm Dixon, was a defensive back for the Brigham Young football team (1987-90) … Born 6/04/90 in Harvey, Louisiana … Resides in New Orleans.