#55 turns 55 today. Not really, he’s only 42 today. But it does seem like the 1991 Georgetown Graduate has been around a long time, and he started his career a little older than most NCAA Players. During his time at Georgetown he really took a while getting adjusted to the college game. He was pretty raw during his first season (when he was a sophomore), and didn’t even get that much playing time. Even though at that time he was a work in progress, because of both a language barrier and a limited basketball background, the raw ability was undeniable. Anyone who saw Mutombo during that 1989 season could tell he was going to be a defensive force at the next level, even if there was still some polishing to do.
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Today is Alonzo Mourning’s 38th birthday. We talked with some knowledgeable folks a few months ago when he suffered his season ending (and possibly career ending) injury, but today we wanted to wish him well and send him many happy returns. It would be the happiest return of all if he could play in the league again, but if not he’s still a hero. There are few pros in any sport that have shown the determination, strength, and perseverance that Alonzo has shown throughout his career. If there’s any player who can make one last unlikely and remarkable comeback it’s him. Good Luck, Zo.

If you see Roy Hibbert at the Tombs or Chadwick’s, buy him a drink. It’s okay to do so now since today is Big Roy’s 21st birthday. Even if you don’t see him, next time you’re out on the town, have a drink in his honor.

Today is a good day to reflect on Roy’s great gift to Georgetown by returning to play one more year with the Hoyas.

And speaking of gifts, what do you think would be a nice present for Roy for his birthday? We think he could use a fancy new tie - he can wear it next summer during the NBA Draft.

I know a lot of you out there don’t think very much of Craig Esherick. You’re all entitled to your opinion, but seeing that today is his 51st birthday, I felt that a little defense was in order. Esherick got a bit of a raw deal as head coach of the Hoyas. His final season as the Hoyas coach was a catastrophic disaster. There’s no denying that. However, help was on the way. Esherick recruited Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. We’ll never know if he would’ve taken that group of players to the Final Four, but he probably deserved one season with those key players he brought in. No matter what people thought of him as a Coach, his reign is over, and it’s time to let go of the hate. Plus, there are a lot of good things about him that everybody can agree on.
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Happy Birthday Mike Sweetney!

We’ve already talked about the current situation in which Big Mike finds himself and about his impressive numbers as a Hoya. Let’s hope his birthday cake comes with a new NBA contract…Make a Wish, Big Fella!

Today is Brandon Bowman’s 23rd birthday. After the 2002-03 Georgetown season ended (the loss in the NIT Final to St. John’s at Madison Square Garden), I went into the locker room to try and console some of the players as well as to congratulate them on the completion of their season. I walked up to Brandon and extended my hand to him. He handed me his empty Gatorade bottle. I told him, “I’m offering to shake your hand, not take your trash.” He felt bad, shook his head and my hand. Throughout his career he got a bad rep for sort of being a head case, and even though my anecdote reinforces that belief, Hoya fans should be grateful since he really was a great player for the Hoyas, even if he did have some moments of interesting decision-making. So to paraphrase, ‘I come to praise Bowman, not to bury him.’
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