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The Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team has existed for over a century, with the team playing its first game on February 9, 1907, against the University of Virginia, which they won 22-11. The team has a rich history, with many notable achievements, including a landmark national championship in 1984, which was the first for a Black coach, and a strong history of preparing players for the NBA. The Hoyas have made 31 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament and have a record of 47-30. The team has experienced both highs and lows over the years, with recent seasons seeing struggles and back-to-back losing streaks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1906 |
| First game | February 9, 1907 |
| First coach | Maurice Joyce |
| First five seasons coach record | 32-20 |
| First tournament championship | 1975 |
| First national championship | 1984 |
| NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearances | 31 |
| NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament record | 47-30 |
| National Invitation Tournament appearances | 13 |
| National Invitation Tournament record | 15-14 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Georgetown men's basketball team was founded in 1906
- The team's first game was played in 1907
- The team has made 31 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
- The Hoyas have a rich history of preparing players for the NBA
- The team has experienced three major eras: the Vintage Era, the Classic Era, and the Modern Era
The Georgetown men's basketball team was founded in 1906
The Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team was founded in the fall of 1906 and played its first game on February 9, 1907, defeating the University of Virginia by a score of 22–11. The team was first coached by Maurice Joyce (1851-1939), who led the team for its first five seasons, from 1906 to 1911. Joyce, a man of many talents, was also a circus performer, a U.S. Marshall, and a boxing coach to President Theodore Roosevelt. He is credited with introducing the game of basketball to Washington, D.C.
In its early years, the team played in various locations, including on and off-campus venues, due to the number of Law School students who were part of the team. From 1918 to 1923, the team had a remarkable 52–0 home record while playing at the on-campus Ryan Gymnasium under coach John O'Reilly. The team's early history, from 1907 to 1942, is known as the Vintage era, during which Georgetown made its mark on college basketball and laid the foundation for national leadership.
The Hoyas have a rich history of producing outstanding leaders and successful athletes. The team has made 31 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, with a record of 47–30. They have also declined an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament on one occasion, attending 13 times with a record of 15–14. The Hoyas have a reputation for preparing players for the NBA, with notable alumni including Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, and Dikembe Mutombo.
The Modern Era of Georgetown basketball is considered to have begun in 1972 with the arrival of Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson, Jr. During his remarkable 27-season career, Thompson led the team to 596 wins and 239 losses, including 7 BIG EAST regular-season championships and 6 BIG EAST Tournament Championships. The team's success under Thompson's leadership further solidified the Hoyas' place in college basketball and contributed to the team's storied history.
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The team's first game was played in 1907
The Georgetown men's basketball team, also known as the Hoyas, played its first game on February 9, 1907, defeating the University of Virginia by a score of 22-11. The team was founded in the fall of 1906, and the first game was played without a coach, with student manager Lou Murray running the team.
The team's first coach was Maurice Joyce, who led the team for its first five seasons from 1906 to 1911. Joyce, a man of many occupations, is credited with introducing the game of basketball to Washington, D.C. He was a circus performer, a U.S. Marshall, and a boxing coach to President Theodore Roosevelt. Joyce modified the original rules of basketball, reducing the number of players per team from nine to five.
In its early years, the Georgetown basketball team displayed only sporadic success, frequently changing home courts until the opening of the McDonough Gymnasium on campus for the 1950-51 season. Despite these challenges, the team achieved a notable 52-0 home record under coach John O'Reilly from 1918 to 1923 while playing at Ryan Gymnasium.
The Vintage era of Georgetown Basketball, from 1907 to 1942, marked the team's early contributions to the sport and the establishment of a foundation for national leadership. The team's success continued into the Classic Era, with notable alumni including General James Jones, a 1966 graduate who went on to have a distinguished career in the U.S. military.
The Modern Era of Georgetown basketball is considered to have begun in 1972 with the arrival of future Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson, Jr. During his remarkable 27-season career, Thompson led the team to 596 wins and numerous championships, including the 1984 NCAA Championship. The Hoyas have continued to leave their mark on the sport, with a rich history of preparing players for the NBA and producing outstanding leaders beyond the basketball court.
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The team has made 31 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
The Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the team celebrating 100 years of existence in 2024. In that time, the team has made 31 appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, a testament to their consistent excellence.
The Hoyas first took to the court on February 9, 1907, defeating the University of Virginia by a score of 22-11. The team's early years were marked by sporadic success, with frequent changes in home courts and a lack of dedicated infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the Hoyas managed a remarkable 52-0 home record from 1918 to 1923 while playing on campus at Ryan Gymnasium.
The arrival of future Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson Jr. in 1972 marked the beginning of the Modern Era of Georgetown basketball. Under his leadership, the Hoyas compiled a record of 596 wins and 239 losses over 27 seasons. During this era, the Hoyas established themselves as a dominant force in college basketball, with seven BIG EAST regular-season championships and six BIG EAST Tournament Championships.
The 1984 NCAA Championship stands out as a landmark moment in the team's history. Not only was it the Hoyas' first national title, but it also marked the first time a Black coach had won the championship. This victory changed the landscape of college basketball, inspiring future Black coaches and players.
The Hoyas have also produced numerous notable players who have gone on to successful NBA careers. Patrick Ewing, the first overall draft pick in 1985, and Allen Iverson, the first overall draft pick in 1996, are among the most celebrated alumni. Other notable names include Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, and Jaren Jackson.
In recent years, the Hoyas have faced challenges, with struggles to maintain a winning record and adapt to changes in the college basketball landscape. However, with a rich history and a commitment to excellence, the team is well-positioned to write a new chapter in their story.
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The Hoyas have a rich history of preparing players for the NBA
The Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team has existed for over a century, with the team playing its first game on February 9, 1907, defeating the University of Virginia by a score of 22–11. In the century since, the Hoyas have established a rich history of preparing players for the NBA.
The Hoyas have had 42 players picked in the NBA draft, including two first overall draft picks: Patrick Ewing in 1985 and Allen Iverson in 1996. Other notable NBA draft picks from Georgetown include Alonzo Mourning, who was the second overall pick in the 1992 draft, and Dikembe Mutombo, who was drafted in the first round, fourth overall. Several other Georgetown alumni have also entered the NBA as undrafted free agents, such as Jaren Jackson in 1989 and Henry Sims and Chris Wright in 2013.
The Hoyas' success in preparing players for the NBA can be attributed to the strong leadership and coaching that the team has enjoyed over the years. The arrival of future Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson Jr. in 1972 marked the beginning of the Modern Era of Georgetown basketball. In his 27 seasons with the team, Coach Thompson led the Hoyas to 596 wins and numerous championships, including 7 BIG EAST regular season championships, 6 BIG EAST Tournament Championships, and the 1984 NCAA Championship.
The Hoyas have also benefited from the leadership of individuals like Paul Tagliabue, who played for Georgetown in the early 1960s and went on to become the Commissioner of the National Football League from 1989 to 2006. Tagliabue worked to ensure that young players were prepared for the challenges and opportunities of professional sports and that established athletes were positioned for success in their post-playing careers.
The Georgetown basketball arena has been a breeding ground for excellence, with a focus on boundary-breaking achievements and the development of young athletes into outstanding leaders. The team's success has also contributed to the formation of legendary rivalries, most notably with the University of Maryland in the 1970s, capturing the attention of Washington basketball fans like never before.
With a century of tradition and excellence behind them, the Hoyas continue to be a force in college basketball, consistently producing players who go on to successful NBA careers.
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The team has experienced three major eras: the Vintage Era, the Classic Era, and the Modern Era
The Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team has been in existence for over a century, with its first game played on February 9, 1907, against the University of Virginia, which they won with a score of 22-11. The team has experienced three major eras: the Vintage Era, the Classic Era, and the Modern Era.
The Vintage Era (1907-1942)
During this period, Georgetown laid the foundation for its bold national leadership in college basketball. Coach Maurice Joyce was a key figure in this era, introducing innovations that permanently shaped the game. The Vintage Era also saw the emergence of Elmer Ripley, who became the school's first Hall of Fame coach when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973. Despite sporadic success in its first six decades, the team achieved a remarkable 52-0 home record under coach John O'Reilly from 1918 to 1923.
The Classic Era (1943-1972)
The Classic Era marked Georgetown's emergence on the national stage, as they made their first postseason appearance in the 1943 NCAA tournament, advancing to the National Championship game. This era was characterized by a strong record of post-season appearances and All-American players. The Classic Era produced prominent leaders in various fields, including General James Jones and Paul Tagliabue, who went on to have distinguished careers in the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Football League, respectively.
The Modern Era (1972-present)
The Modern Era of Georgetown basketball began with the arrival of future Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson, Jr. in 1972. In his illustrious 27-year career, Coach Thompson accumulated 596 wins and 239 losses. During this era, the Hoyas won 7 BIG EAST regular-season championships, 6 BIG EAST Tournament Championships, and the 1984 NCAA Championship. The Modern Era also saw the rise of legendary players like Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, and Allen Iverson, who went on to have successful careers in the NBA. The team has continued to experience highs and lows in recent years, with appearances in the 2023 Big East tournament and the 2025 College Basketball Crown postseason tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
Georgetown basketball was founded in the fall of 1906, with their first game taking place on February 9, 1907, against the University of Virginia, who they defeated with a score of 22-11. Therefore, as of February 2026, Georgetown basketball has existed for 120 years.
The first era of Georgetown basketball is known as the Vintage era, which lasted from 1907 to 1942. During this time, Georgetown laid the foundation for bold national leadership and made its mark on the future of college basketball.
Notable players from Georgetown basketball include Patrick Ewing, Sleepy Floyd, Reggie Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, and Allen Iverson. Notable coaches include John Thompson Jr., who led the team for 27 seasons and won 596 games, and John Thompson III, who led the team to an NCAA appearance.
