Summer growth spurt

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Georgetown junior center Roy Hibbert is poised to make the final jump from project to powerhouse.

In a 2005 season defined by the quantum leaps of players like Florida's Joakim Noah and Pittsburgh's Aaron Gray, the Georgetown giant might not have been the poster boy for most improved. But he certainly belonged in the frame.

The 7-foot-2 native of Adelphi, Md., doubled his freshman productivity during last year's regular season and then tripled it in the NCAA tournament, averaging 15.7 points, 10.0 points and 2.3 blocks during Georgetown's run to the Sweet 16.

The return of Hibbert, fellow All-Big East forward Jeff Green and seasoned point guard Jonathan Wallace has the Hoyas ranked among the preseason top 10 by most publications. But even that lofty ranking doesn't do justice to one daunting fact: Hibbert has enjoyed another epic growth spurt this summer.

"I think I've made a similar jump this offseason," Hibbert said recently. "I've trimmed down to about 270 pounds from 285, but I've added a lot more muscle. I'd guess I've lost 25 pounds or so of fat, and that's really increased my mobility and quickness."

Hibbert put his more explosive game on display as a counselor at the prestigious Nike All-American Camp, where he and LSU's Glen Davis were the dominant players on hand. He shined in the Kenner League, averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds while leading his team to the league title.

"I know it's just a summer league, but the big fella can ball," former Maryland star Lonny Baxter said after Hibbert torched his team for 32 points and 15 rebounds in the title game.

Hibbert has added range and consistency to his baby hook. He now has a turnaround baseline jumper, a nasty tool for a man his size. And he even looks relatively comfortable putting the ball on the floor, evidenced by one play in the Kenner League that prompted an NBA scout to curse in awe.

No one would call the new-look Hibbert quick, not on the same Hilltop on which Allen Iverson once played. But Hibbert has attained a new level of efficiency and elegance without sacrificing the raw, old-school desire that defined his sophomore style.

"Last year I was still figuring out post basics," Hibbert said. "Now I've moved on to work on other stuff. I'm shooting the ball more, working on setting screens, footwork and passing. I became a comfortable scorer last year. Now that other teams know that, I know I'm going to see a lot more double teams. So I'm working a lot on double-team situations. I think recognizing and handling double teams is the next major step in my progression."