Portsmouth native Macklin to transfer from Georgetown

Georgetown forward Vernon Macklin, the Portsmouth native who starred at Norcom High and went on to become a high school All-American, is transferring after two quiet seasons with the Hoyas, the school announced Thursday.

"We appreciate the hard work he put in at Georgetown, both on and off the floor," Hoyas coach John Thompson III said in a release. Reached by phone, Macklin declined comment on the transfer or his plans.

A three-time All-Tidewater pick at Norcom, the 6-foot-9 Macklin was a Parade and McDonald's All-American after his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy and was considered the jewel of Georgetown's 2006 recruiting class.

But Macklin's athletic, running style never meshed with the precision halfcourt attack favored by the Hoyas, and he failed to carve out a significant role in his two seasons. He averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 34 games backing up All-American center Roy Hibbert last season. In his 65-game Georgetown career, he averaged 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds.

In January, Macklin spoke optimistically about his future at Georgetown, saying he expected to blossom as a junior once Hibbert graduated and he inherited more playing time. But the 2008-09 Hoyas will feature incoming freshman Greg Monroe, a 6-10 power forward some analysts peg as the top high school senior in the country.

Upon enrolling in a new school, Macklin will have to sit out the 2008-09 season but then will have two years of eligibility left.

Paul White, 757-418-1447, paul.white@pilotonline.com