Jam's Journal: Recapping Penn vs. George Mason
Jam's recaps his in-person scout of Penn-George Mason in a battle highlighted by the Atlantic Ten's leading scorer (a potential sleeper for the 2026 NBA Draft) and a former Top 5 prospect.
Over this past weekend, I took my first trip of the season to Eagle Bank Arena for an Ivy League-Atlantic Ten matchup between the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and George Mason (GMU). The game featured the Atlantic Ten’s leading scorer (Kory Mincy) on one side and a former five-star prospect on the other (T.J. Power).
This was my second in-person look at Penn, who traveled to the DMV to face American earlier in the season. In a close clash, GMU prevailed 83-79 to hold on late. Let’s open Jam’s Journal with one of the more productive and underrated transfer guards in the country.
Kory Mincy | Guard | Junior | 6’2” | 180 pounds | GMU
Kory Mincy has been another terrific transfer portal find by George Mason Head Coach Tony Skinn and his staff (i.e. Keyshawn Hall, Jaylen Haynes, Brayden O’Connor). A Presbyterian transfer, Mincy is leading the Atlantic 10 in scoring (17.9 PPG) and entered this game hot off a 26-point performance in a win over Loyola (MD).
This ended up being an inefficient 16-point game for Mincy (6-of-15 FGA). However, he did somewhat find his rhythm after a very slow start and showed why he’s the conference’s top scorer with flashes of multiple-level shot-making and slick self-creation highlighted by pullback and step-back jumpers. There were several good looks from a distance that just didn’t go down as well. Even after shooting 1-of-8 from three, Mincy still owns an outstanding 44.6% three-point mark on 5.7 3PA.
I was very encouraged by Mincy’s defensive engagement, especially in a game where his offense wasn’t completely up to the standard that he’s set so far this season. A weak-side rotation contest on Power to force the miss, a hustle poke-away in transition after missing a jumper, and getting wiped out by Gerhart's screen to draw the offensive foul were his most notable defensive moments. As a 6’2” guard (possibly a little shorter), his defensive playmaking and engagement level become even more crucial to any potential NBA path.
Heading into conference play as an Atlantic 10 Player of the Year frontrunner with 49.3/44.6/94.7 shooting splits, Mincy deserves more attention.
Emmanuel Kanga | Big | Freshman | 6’8” | 220 pounds | GMU
Emmanuel Kanga is my favorite long-term NBA prospect for GMU and someone that I’ve been able to watch in person a bit on the grassroots level. He’s their prized 2025 class player, and although undersized, Kanga is long and athletic with a projectable frame. He immediately made his presence known with a show-and-recover block at the rim in the pick-and-roll. That’s exactly the type of stuff evaluators want to see.
Although Kanga only logged 13 minutes, it felt like he made his imprint on each and every minute. He gobbled up 10 rebounds (a few in traffic), swatted two shots, and scored four points. As the season progresses, I’m hopeful that Kanga earns more minutes and can provide GMU with another much-needed athletic presence in the middle. If he wasn’t on your radar yet, he should most definitely be.
Nick Ellington | Big | Graduate Student | 6’8” | 215 pounds | GMU
Nick Ellington produced his best game of the season by notching a double-double off the Mason bench (16 points and 11 rebounds). He’s another undersized big, but he’s active and doesn’t mind physicality. For one of his six offensive rebounds, Ellington snatched it out of the hands of the defender before scoring. He goes to his dominant left hand nearly every time, but I give him credit for attempting an off-hand jump hook that didn’t go down, though. More outings like this will help GMU solidify their front-court presence and big man depth.
TJ Power | Big Wing| Junior | 6’9” | 220 pounds | Penn
TJ Power has found a home at Penn and is playing the best basketball of his collegiate career. He scored only eight points (averaging 14.8 PPG), but knocked down two threes, including a corner three late to close the lead to 81-79 with 41 seconds left alongside a direct line bump finish through contact. I was hoping to see more of that improved physicality, but that was the only real glimpse. Power’s combination of size, shooting (39.3% 3P on 5.1 3PA), pedigree, and production remains worth tracking.
Michael Zanoni | Guard | Senior | 6’5” | 200 pounds | Penn
Michael Zanoni was hot early and often for Penn, scoring the first seven Penn points and leading the game in scoring with 23 points (9-14 FGA, 5-9 3PA) after pouring in 18 in the first half. It felt like the ball was going in every time it left his hands. Zanoni even had fans behind me screaming at the top of their lungs to find the shooter! He buried shots off the catch, move, and standstill with some range. It’s absolutely an all shooting, floor-spacing type of profile for Zanoni. There isn’t a ton of room for error because of a lack of ideal physical tools and ancillary skills.
Cam Thrower | Guard | Senior | 6’3” | 195 pounds | Penn
With Roberts out, Cam Thrower is taking on more responsibility as both a scorer and facilitator. Thrower’s five assists tied for the team lead, while his 14 points were second to Zanoni’s 23 points. There isn’t a standout NBA trait, but I like Thrower’s blend of strength, craft, and competitiveness. He buried a pick-and-roll three, finished through contact at the rim, and even came up with a help block below the rim that resulted in Penn winning the challenge for possession in a two-possession game (down 80-74 with 1:13 left in the second half).
Augustus Gerhart | Big | Junior | 6’9” | 235 pounds | Penn
Augustus Gerhart is built like a tank. Stout and powerful frame with huge calves and sizable arms. To no surprise, Gerhart was physical throughout the game on both ends. At times, he was a bit too physical and perhaps looking to use it to compensate for plus physical tools. Gerhart fouled out in 20 minutes with a final line of 10 points, five rebounds, and one block.
Perhaps to my surprise though, Gerhart had the play of the game. He isn’t the most explosive leaper, but Gerhart hammered home a poster dunk over the help defender out of the pick-and-roll. Gerhart pointed at the defender with a laugh and was promptly given a tech. This drew the fury of Head Coach Fran McCaffrey who immediately pulled Gerhart for a bit. Gerhart was promptly accountable and took in McCaffrey’s coaching along with Assistant Coach, Tristan Spurlock.
Additionally, Gerhart flashed some touch and footwork on a fluid spin into a jump hook. In order to level up as an NBA prospect, Gerhart will need to progress as a shooting threat and/or defensive playmaker.
Ethan Roberts | Guard | Senior | 6’5” | 190lbs | Penn
Ethan Roberts was my top-rated prospect for either team, but he remains out after suffering an injury on a scary collision against Villanova (December 6th). There aren’t many details on the exact nature of the injury or a return timeline. Roberts did appear to be in good spirits and was consistently engaged with his teammates on the bench.
After getting the opportunity to see him in person against American, I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for his skill set, competitiveness, and trash-talking. He’s on pace to be the Ivy League Player of the Year and deserves to be a strong candidate for the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Wishing him a speedy recovery!
