Feb. 14, 2008
He came back for one more year.
It was not necessarily for one more chance, but for one more year.
Roy Hibbert wanted to be a senior in college.
Sure, he wanted another chance to win a second-straight BIG EAST Championship and he wanted to make another run at a Final Four appearance and a national championship, but Hibbert also wanted to spend one more year as a student.
"I just try to focus on having three or four more home games at Georgetown," he said before practice in February. "I just try to make the best of it right now. The memories are something I'll have for the rest of my life."
Hibbert will also have his degree - in government - as he is scheduled to graduate in May with fellow seniors Tyler Crawford, Patrick Ewing, Jr. and Jonathan Wallace.
The chance to come back for one more go-round with his teammates was a big part of his coming back, of course. While everyone associated with the program was thrilled with the ride to the Final Four, the loss in the semifinal game to Ohio State left a bitter taste.
"Obviously, the top of the mountain is winning the tournament," Hibbert said. "I think we're on the side of the mountain right now, looking up, trying to make our way up. Coach stresses that we want to keep improving. We don't want to go back down that mountain." Hibbert has climbed up the mountain to get where he is now. He has grown into an elite player at the college level with a tremendous upside as a professional after coming to Georgetown with little to no recognition.
As a freshman, he played in every game and averaged 5.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. He really came on as a sophomore, averaging 11.6 points and 6.9 rebounds while earning second team All-BIG EAST honors as the team went 23-10 and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Last year, when the team went 30-7 and reached the Final Four for the first time since 1985, Hibbert teamed up with Jeff Green to form one of the most dominating front courts in all of college basketball. He finished the season averaging 12.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, earning first team All-BIG EAST honors.
Hibbert has worked hard throughout his career. Knowing the legacy of big men at Georgetown - Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing, to name a few - he knew there was quite a bit to live up to.
"I took jump hooks all day," Hibbert said. "I want to be a defensive stopper like Dikembe, getting blocked shots and rebounds. I want to be as physical and dominant as Alonzo. And I want to be polished like Patrick. I feel like I'm a little bit of everybody."
After making the United States team that played in the Pan-American Games over the summer in Brazil, the individual accolades came pouring in for Hibbert. He earned numerous preseason All-American honors and was tabbed as the BIG EAST's preseason Player of the Year.
Through 23 games this season, as the Hoyas have raced out to a 20-3 record, Hibbert was averaging 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
And while his statistical numbers may not reflect what fans would expect of a guy who was selected as a preseason first team All-America or the preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, his coach knows what his value to the Hoya team has been this year.
"His growth and understanding have been tremendous," Thompson said. If someone were to pick up a stat sheet and look at that, you may not see that. But his game has really grown.
"And then you get what you get from seniors. You get to this point of the year, and there is definitely an understanding, a sense of urgency. Roy's going to have a lot of years to play basketball, but his time here is coming to an end. Seniors understand that."
By Mike "Mex" Carey
Sports Information Director
