Georgetown’s James Akinjo, Josh LeBlanc Enter Transfer Portal; LeBlanc Accused of Assault and Battery
Georgetown’s starting point guard James Akinjo and reserve big man Josh LeBlanc will no longer be members of the Hoyas' basketball team, head coach Patrick Ewing announced Monday. As a result, both have entered the transfer portal, according to Stadium's Jeff Goodman.
On Monday night, it was reported that at least two accusers filed for temporary restraining orders on Nov. 5 against LeBlanc and teammates Galen Alexander and Myron Gardner, per CBS Sports. However, Alexander and Gardner were not mentioned in Ewing's statement. In a letter addressed to Hoyas fans Tuesday, Georgetown director of intercollegiate athletics Lee Reed confirmed that the allegations do not involve Akinjo.
One accuser reportedly expressed fear for her safety, as well as the safety of her roommates, and alleges LeBlanc of assault and battery, plus theft of personal property.
"In response to an alleged burglary that I believe Joshua LeBlanc committed against me on September 16, 2019, Joshua threatened bodily harm against myself and my roommate," according to the accuser's statement. "He continued to threaten me verbally and via text message in the following week. Joshua has also committed violence against women in the past."
Both accusers also said LeBlanc and two of his friends made various threats. The second accusation, filed separately on Nov. 12, alleges Gardner of sexual harassment and assault on Sept. 15 at the accuser's place of residence.
The accuser writes that she filed police reports with Georgetown Police and the D.C. Police. Those actions allegedly led to the three players—Gardner, LeBlanc and Alexander—to harass and threaten the accuser, according to the statement.
Georgetown responded to a request for comment on the status of Gardner and Alexander.
"Georgetown takes student conduct issues very seriously and ensures that they are investigated thoroughly. While we are not able to comment on specific cases, we have processes for investigating and adjudicating alleged violations of our student code that are fair to both parties," the school told CBS Sports. "We encourage any student who has a concern to be in contact with the Georgetown University Police Department or the Office of Student Conduct."
Akinjo won the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2018–19 and was a member of the Big East All-Freshman team. Akinjo was additionally named Big East Freshman of the Week four times, and was second on the team in scoring and first in assists.
Through seven games this season, he is averaging 13.4 points per game and a team-high 4.4 assists.
LeBlanc was also named to the Big East All-Freshman team last season starting in 22 games. The four-star recruit finished 2018-19 with six double-doubles, having entered the year as an ESPN Top 100 Player in the class of 2018. Through six games this season, LeBlanc was averaging 7.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
The departures of Akinjo and LeBlanc are presumably a major blow for Georgetown, which is looking to make its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2014–15.
The Hoyas are currently 4–3, having lost to UNC Greensboro on Saturday.
Georgetown faces off against Oklahoma State Wednesday in Stillwater as part of the Big East/Big 12 Challenge. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
