Today, news dropped that Ed Cooley and the Georgetown Hoyas landed the commitment of 5-star Alex Constanza of SPIRE Academy (OH), previously of Westminster Academy (FL). Constanza is ranked 22nd nationally by 247 and Rivals and 29th by ESPN. 247 Composite’s grade considers him the 20th-ranked player in the country. He picked the Hoyas over Kansas, NC State, Miami (FL), and Illinois.

Constanza moves to SPIRE Academy this year to play for esteemed coach Kevin Boyle, of St. Patrick’s (NJ) and Montverde (FL) fame, who has become high school basketball’s most prominent producer of NBA talent. Constanza leaves an impressive Westminster Academy program with a bold resume. Over his 4-year career, he scored roughly 1,700 points in 89 games, and according to MaxPreps, he shot 44.2% from three-point range over his career, making 149 shots. This past season, as a Junior, Constanza averaged a gaudy 29 points and 11 rebounds before playing AAU on the Puma circuit for Team Scoot, where he was named 1st Team All Circuit after finishing 4th amongst all scorers.

In Constanza, the Hoyas are getting a big, skilled, versatile forward who can masquerade as a jumbo two guard or as a super mismatch face-up 4. At the 2024 Basketball Without Borders Camp, Constanza measured 6-8 without shoes (likely listed at 6-9 or 6-10) with an extremely impressive 7-1 wingspan. He pairs that enormous frame with a plus handle, an ability to play at his own pace, and plus shooting as well as playmaking for a forward. Concerns surrounding his game have been some limits to his athleticism (28.5” max vert in 2024) and his motor, but supporters have voiced that his ability to play at his own pace without getting sped up can be confused as not playing fast or hard at all times.

It’s easy to watch Constanza film and see similarities to successful versatile forwards from Ed Cooley’s past. He won’t show the same strength or burst as a young Bryce Hopkins, but he has the same level of patience and control on the offensive end – and he’s simply a taller player with more upside as a shooter. He should be able to score on the block, facilitate out of the high post, face up as a wing creator, or space the floor across the perimeter. And I imagine a year under Boyle, who recently remarked on the Ryen Rusillo podcast that he aspires for his players’ first college basketball practice to be the easiest one they’ve had since joining him, will make him a tougher, more complete player ready to contribute to a winner on Day One.

Today is a day of celebration on the Hilltop. Welcome home, Alex Constanza.