Georgia and Georgia State rewrote the guidelines for exhibition games by battling from horn to horn, with the Bulldogs emerging victorious 65-61.
And battle they did. The level of physical play throughout the game gave out March Madness vibes. Several players, on both teams, found themselves on the floor after attacking the paint.
This match-up had a few more elements not normally associated with a college exhibition game, like sons of NBA greats matched up, two former number one draft picks, and a third-generation offspring of pro hoopers.
NBA and UGA great Dominique Wilkins sat in the stands behind his Alma mater’s bench, watching his son Jacob (Jake) carry on the family legacy. Jake, an inch taller than his dad and blessed with the same leaping ability, was one of multiple players with pro basketball genes on the floor.
- Dennis Trey Scott, III – son of NBA sharp shooter Dennis Scott, who was picked fourth by the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft. Scott is three inches taller than his dad and redshirted his first year at Georgia State.
- Kanon Catchings (UGA) – grandson of former NBA forward Harvey Catchings, son of third-round WNBA draft pick Tauja, and nephew of first-round WNBA draft pick and league MVP Tamika.
- Jarvis Hayes (Assistant Coach, Georgia State) – picked in the 10th round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. The All-Rookie second-team selection played for three franchises over seven years.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-0 lead and built it up to 17 points by the half. Center Somto Cyril led the Dawgs’ defense with seven blocked shots, including a block of Jelani Hamilton’s attempted dunk. Jake Wilkins had two blocks, and Justin Abson had three.
Blocked shots were the only statistical category in which Georgia was head and shoulders better than Georgia State. The Dawgs had an 11-block differential, which presumably translates into a cancellation of 22 points for the Panthers. There was an 18-point differential in points in the paint.
Georgia State fought back in the second half. Junior guard Malachi Brown ignited a 12-point run 12 minutes into the second half to close the gap to five. The Panthers had a chance to tie the ball game with less than 10 seconds remaining on the clock. Micah Tucker’s shot just missed its mark, and Cyril was there to secure the defensive rebound and win for the Bulldogs.
Both teams have one more exhibition game before the season starts in a few weeks.
See what Georgia State Head Coach Jonas Hayes had to say about the shot.
UGA Head Coach Mike White had this to say about his team’s performance