W. Post: Summers will return for senior year

[Grandpa]

Summers Says He'll Return

By Liz Clarke
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 28, 2009

More than 20 NBA scouts were on hand for Georgetown's pivotal game against Louisville on Monday. They didn't see the best of the young Hoyas, who were shown up yet again by a veteran squad that dominated both ends of the court.

Nor did they see the best of junior forward DaJuan Summers -- the object of much of the scouts' attention -- who performed at a fraction of his ability, scoring just four points on 1-of-8 shooting.

Summers insists he's not aware when scouts are present. It's not as important as the game at hand, he said. He hammered that point home yesterday, when he said that he intends to return to Georgetown for his senior year.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/27/AR2009022703287.html

[hsaxa2010]

I am very pleased with this, as I do hope that he works HARD over the summer, since he has no more college years left after next year. I hope he plays his heart out as his NBA future requires that. But more than that, I hope he comes back with a sense of team and leadership and represents Georgetown in a positive manner. No complaints from me that he's coming back, and this makes me very excited for next season's potential (but this year ain't over yet)

[RBHoya]

Glad to hear this. Some of what has been said about him in frustration lately has been undue. He's had some underwhelming games lately, but that doesn't mean he isn't trying like some people have implied or accused. He has some holes and limitations in his game and at this point I think they are pretty apparent. If he spends the summer working hard to address those things and become a better player, that's all anybody can ask for.

FWIW I expect he will declare without signing an agent and go through some NBA workouts but ultimately return, ala Brandon or Roy.

[FrazierFanatic]

Dajuan has had some problems with his game this year - like pretty much everyone. His biggest problem may simply be trying to do too much at first, then shrinking his game as his confidence was shaken. We have never heard a single negative thing about him as a student and a representative of the school. I trust that he will work his butt off this summer to improve his game and his stock for next draft, and will give us some great things next year. This is absolutely a positive for this program for 09-10.

[strummer8526]

I hope that he and Monroe (the two guys who certainly COULD leave after this year) get together and make a really conscious effort to make next year something special. They're both turning down money for it, and I hope they look at each other and at themselves and say that it's time to lead a team with FAR more potential than was reflected this season. I'm happy to hear this b/c saying something this early leads me to believe he's really going to step up and give it all next year (not that he didn't give it all this year, but I still think there's more to DS than we've seen yet).

[LizziebethHoya]

I'm really happy about this. Summers knows this is his chance to lead the team and really shine, and this team has the potential to be something special next year with some hard work over the off season and leadership.

[summersshowers]

i think he can be a dominant mid-range player in the mold of sam young. just has to learn better discipline on his shot selection.

[DanMcQ]

For a person who gets mercilessly bashed by posters here he surely says things to the press that indicate a maturity above what many here choose to give him credit for (and show in some of their posts). And his name goes on the quotes.

Good for him - he deserves our support.

[DanMcQ]

Two important sets of quotes in the Times and Post articles this AM:

"There's too much basketball left to be played for any of us to address that at this point," Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. "I can assure you that all of my guys are totally focused on the immediate future of turning around this season."

"At the end of the season we'll evaluate all of that," Thompson said. "Can he grow? Yes, absolutely. Everyone can still grow and improve, and he's got a lot that he can and will improve on."

That said, there is no "cookie-cutter answer" for every player's situation, Thompson said.

"If that's where his head is, that's where his head is," Thompson said of Summers's plan to return. "At the same time, it will be an educated decision, as opposed to an emotional decision. And we will go through that process when the season is over."

[Coast2CoastHoya]

Glad to hear it!

[EasyEd]

Glad to have you back next year Dajuan. Great news.

[guru]

This is excellent news. Both player and program need a revival next season, and I'm glad he'll be back to finish what he started and help right the ship.

Also, if Summers and Monroe return, assuming no transfers (big assumption after the past 2 years) I think the Hoyas will be WAY overrated in the preseason polls.

[strummer8526]

Feb 28, 2009 11:28:24 GMT -5 guru said:

This is excellent news. Both player and program need a revival next season, and I'm glad he'll be back to finish what he started and help right the ship.

Also, if Summers and Monroe return, assuming no transfers (big assumption after the past 2 years) I think the Hoyas will be WAY overrated in the preseason polls.

Actually, I imagine us being way UNDERrated. I think people will say "Same team as last year and they were sub-mediocre." But with that level talent together for another year, we could be absolutely outstanding. A lot of people on here (myself included) have been saying '09–'10 is our year.

[1984alloveragain]

GREAT NEWS!! If true, WISE decisions by both young men. Lots of improvement can be made and revenge is not good in life, but on the basketball court is a different story (thinking about duke for one). Seriously, I've been fading in my hoya obsession, this should perk me up again. Go Hoyas!!

[Big Dog]

Best Hoyas news I've heard in weeks. Same team minus Sapp next year, with a whole host of other Big East seniors moving on? Yes, please.

[harwoodhoya]

Great move. Don't turn into a Donte Green!

[uptownathlete]

Glad to hear this as well. but Im also happy that they realize this season is not over!

[tashoya]

I can't believe how little play this is getting on the board.

Great news as far as I'm concerned. I'm inferring from this news, assuming DS doesn't change his mind, that this means that DaJuan is aware of what he needs to work on to be effective at the next level and he's committing himself to improving. This is better news than ANY recruit we could have gotten. Great to have another 4 year man maximizing his opportunity to improve at the collegiate level before moving on. I think (probably too subjectively so) that this is the best option for DaJuan and I'm hopeful for the rest of this season and even more hopeful for next. Keep working DS! Hoya Saxa!

[blueeagle]

Glad to hear it. Dajuan, no one thinks you are "Jeff, Jr." any longer. Time to be your own man this season and next.

[the_way]

Dajuan is a good player for us. HIs burden is unrealistic expectations place on him and a misevaluation of his talents. He gets a lot of unfair treatment around here. He isn't the main source of the problem, but most of the blame always goes to him.

He is a good kid, and its good to have him back next year. We are going to need him.