CBB Rank 2025: No. 93, George Washington Basketball

After their best season in a decade, George Washington basketball brings back a strong core, looking to win not just the A10 but the championship.

The tradition continues! It’s another year of our countdown of the top 100 preseason teams in college basketball until the start of the season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: George Washington basketball.

It’s been a rough run recently for George Washington. They went seven seasons without winning 20 games, and have only made one tournament appearance in the past fifteen years. Last year, though, they won 21 games, most in a decade. George Washington hired Chris Caputo to turn this team around, and after two rough years to start, he finally showed signs of heading in the right direction last year.

The big news for them was the return of Rafael Castro, last year’s leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. They also return Garrett Johnson, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury. The season before, though, he averaged 13.4 PPG and could be a breakout candidate for this team. They also return two other members of their top five leading scorers. They also bring in several quality transfers. You haven’t heard this phrase in a while, but look out for George Washington basketball!

Head coach: Chris Caputo (3rd season at George Washington, 3rd season overall)

2024-25 record: 21-13 (9-9)

2025 postseason finish: N/A

Notable departures: 

• Gerald Drumgoole Jr. (11.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.2 APG)
• Darren Buchanan Jr. (10.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 APG)
• Jacoi Hutchinson (6.5 PPG, 2.4 APG, 2.2 RPG)
• Sean Hansen (5.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.9 APG)

Notable non-conference games: 

• vs. Georgetown (Oct. 18 – Exhibition)
• vs. USF (Nov. 8)
• vs. McNeese (Nov. 23
• vs. Florida (Dec. 13)

Projected Rotation

PG: Tre Dinkins (6-2, 190, Gr.-Sr.)

2024-2025 stats: 12.9 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 37.9 3P%, 78.2 FT% (Duquesne)

SG: Christian Jones (6-4, 195, So.)

2024-2025 stats: 8.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.2 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 43.9 FG%)

SF: Trey Autry (6-4, 200, Jr.)

2024-2025 stats: 10.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 45.6 FG%, 38.6 3P%, 80.7 FT%

PF: Garrett Johnson (6-8, 220, Jr.)

2023-2024 stats: 13.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 40.3 3P%, 87.1 FT%

C: Rafael Castro (6-11, 220, Sr.)

2024-2025 stats: 14.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 66.0 FG%

6: Jean Aranguren (6-3, 190, Jr.)

2024-2025 stats: 14.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 72.0 FT% (Hofstra)

7: Christian Jones (6-4, 195, So.)

2024-2025 stats: 8.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.2 RPG, 1.7 SPG

8: Bubu Benjamin (6-7, 205, Jr.)

2024-2025 stats: 13.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 44.1 FG%, 38.0 3P%, 78.9 FT% (Tarleton State)

9: Tyrone Marshall (6-7, 215, Sr.)

2024-2025 stats: 10.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG (Western Kentucky)

10: Luke Hunger (6-7, 215, Gr.-Sr.)

2024-2025 stats: 2.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.2 APG (Northwestern)

George Washington Basketball team MVP: Rafael Castro

Castro was the leader of this 20-win team last year. As mentioned, he led the team in points, rebounds, and block shots last year, earning himself 2nd team All-A10 last year. He took a huge leap after riding the bench at Providence his first two years, and he’s ready to take another leap as a senior.

At 6’11, he’s the tallest guy on the team, and will be essential in protecting the paint, which he did a nice job at last season. Castro averages just 2.1 fouls a game as well, which is impressive for a big, and keeps him on the floor at all times. They’ll need every minute out of him if they want to win the A10, and he has shown that he is capable of doing so.

George Washington Basketball make-or-break player: Garrett Johnson

Johnson burst onto the scene as a freshman and was incredible, averaging 13.4 PPG and shooting 40% from three. At 6’8, he grabbed boards and was consistent for most of the season, which is impressive for a freshman. After such a successful season, there was a lot of excitement heading into his sophomore year, but unfortunately, an ACL injury kept him out.

Now, he’s back and looking to build off that impressive season. If he can replicate that, this team has a really dangerous duo who can compete for the title. If he can be better, then we can have an even more serious conversation about this team and how far they can go. It’s hard to come back from an ACL injury, and if he can’t get back to form, then George Washington will be good, but not much better than a middle-of-the-pack A10 team.

Key analytic: 3 point shooting

George Washington basketball ranked 137th in three-point attempts per game last season, at 23.5, but they ranked 304th in percentage at 31.3%. Obviously, that’s not what you want to see, and they brought in several guys, as well as the return of Johnson, to help fix that.

They will by no means live and die by the three, but being efficient from deep, especially when taking a reasonable volume, will be a huge factor in their success.

George Washington Basketball 2025-26 projections

Projected conference finish: 5th in the A10

Projected postseason ceiling: NIT Appearance