The Georgetown Hoyas basketball program took a huge hit tonight when news came out that starting point guard James Akinjo and rotation big man, Joshua LeBlanc had entered the transfer portal. However, it didn’t take long for word to get out that both Akinjo and LeBlanc had been released from the team effective immediately. Speculation was had again for why Patrick Ewing would need to release two of his better players from the team, and yet again that was answered shortly after.
Georgetown’s James Akinjo and Josh Leblanc have both entered the transfer portal, source told @Stadium. HUGE hit to the Hoyas.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 2, 2019
Big announcement from Georgetown – starting point guard James Akinjo and reserve big man Josh LeBlanc are no longer playing for the team. pic.twitter.com/VcSJ7zJAQL
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) December 2, 2019
Details still hazy, but initial indications are that Ewing had no choice but to remove Akinjo and LeBlanc from the basketball program.
— Casual Hoya (@CasualHoya) December 3, 2019
As it turns out, there has been a civil case filed against Joshua LeBlanc and Galen Alexander, Georgetown Hoyas forward, since November 20, 2019, by a woman in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER that was filed on the 20th orders the Defendants, LeBlanc and Alexander, “not assault, threaten, harass, or communicate with Plaintiffs by any means, including by telephone, writing, and social media, until further order of this Court.”
According to public records, the complaint issued against Alexander and LeBlanc was for Assault and Battery and was filed along with a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order on November 5, 2019. There was another case filed on November 12, 2019, with a different Plaintiff than the previously mentioned case. This complaint included not only Alexander and LeBlanc (incorrectly named as “LABLANC”) but also Myron Gardner, another forward for the Georgetown Hoyas. The complaint was for Assault and Battery as well along with a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order. While no one has been convicted of anything as of now, and all Defendants are innocent until proven guilty, these accusations are nothing short of troubling. There has been no official word from Georgetown as to what the cause for dismissing Akinjo and LeBlanc were, but one can only assume these charges may have something to do with the quick decision.
Preliminary Injunction Order filed on November 20th, 2019 against Georgetown’s Josh LeBlanc and Galen Alexander. pic.twitter.com/ifRyvKyUbu
— Casual Hoya (@CasualHoya) December 3, 2019
Akinjo, who was not named in either civil case, averaged 13.4 points, 5.2 assists and took home 2019 Big East Freshman of the Year honors last season. He was on pace to match his performance from last season with 13.4 points and 4.4 assists a game in seven games played. LeBlanc finished last season as a 2019 Big East All-Freshman Team selection but was having a noticeable decrease in his minutes this season. It will be worth following the Hoyas closely to see if any other players depart the team on their own terms or by Coach Ewing’s orders.
