James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc leaving Georgetown basketball effective immediately

In news that makes you wonder what the heck is going on, Santa brought an early load of coal for Georgetown fans in the form of a press release from the team confirming rumors that sophomores James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc are leaving the team immediately and putting their names into the transfer portal. This is hardly the kind of help a 4-3 Hoyas team needs.

LeBlanc was a breakout star as a freshman last year, posting an ORtg of 124.9 in all competitions, good for 44th in the country. He was second in the Big East with a 129.9 ORtg in conference play. In addition to being an efficient scorer, the 6'7" forward was an excellent rebounder on both ends alongside since-graduated center Jesse Govan.

Akinjo, a guard generously listed at 6'1", had proven himself a dynamic playmaker in the backcourt, leading the Big East in assist rate last year and posting a similarly solid number this season with improved ball security. He was often electrifying in the backcourt alongside classmate Mac McClung, the conference's leader in consecutive C's in a surname.

Both Akinjo and especially LeBlanc has taken steps back in their productivity as sophomores, but both were still solidly in coach Patrick Ewing's rotation. Now both are headed out the door, and what had appeared to be a program on the rise behind and emerging coaching talent will seek to redefine itself on the fly in the face of the rapidly approaching Big East season.