Vaughn’s waiver adds depth for Hoyas

Georgetown’s depth issues vanished Thursday with the announcement that the NCAA granted Florida State transfer Julian Vaughn a waiver to play for the Hoyas this season.

Much like the recent case of Tennessee standout Tyler Smith, who was granted an unconditional release from Iowa and immediately allowed to play for the Volunteers after transferring to be close to his terminally ill father, Vaughn’s appeal hinged on two primary factors - Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton didn’t contest his transfer, and Vaughn received special consideration from the NCAA because of an undisclosed family medical issue that prompted his return to the area.

The decision is a major boon for the Hoyas, who lost three key frontcourt contributors in the offseason with the graduation of NBA draftees Roy Hibbert and Patrick Ewing Jr. and the transfer of reserve center Vernon Macklin to Florida.

A 6-foot-10, 239-pound forward from Reston’s South Lakes High School, Vaughn gives Georgetown a fourth big body to add to their interior rotation of rising junior DaJuan Summers (6-8, 240) and incoming freshmen Greg Monroe (6-10, 226) and Henry Sims (6-11, 224).

Though none of the quartet is a pure back-to-the-basket center, Vaughn gives Georgetown coach John Thompson III more rotation flexibility and frontcourt experience. Vaughn played only one season in Tallahassee, Fla. He started the first 14 games for the Seminoles and finished the season with averages of 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.3 minutes. While those are modest stats, Vaughn has notched a season of major-conference hoops, unlike Monroe and Sims.

Vaughn’s freshman campaign at Florida State might not represent his long-term potential; Vaughn missed 15 days of practice and two midseason games while undergoing cardiac testing at the Cleveland Clinic after experiencing occasional chest pain. He received a clean bill of health from the facility, but the hiatus interrupted the flow of his freshman season.

After transferring from South Lakes to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., after his junior season, Vaughn led the Warriors to a 40-1 record, earning him the distinction of Virginia’s Mr. Basketball by the Roanoke Times and World News and PrepStars’ No. 54 ranking in the class of 2007.

Vaughn boasts excellent shooting range and a 7-3 wingspan but needs to improve his post game and commit himself to engaging in a bit more banging in the paint. His ACC critics said he spent too much time last season floating around the 3-point arc for a player with his imposing frame.