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Georgia freshman Kareem Stagg's versatility a key to instant impact

Jeremy Johnsonby: Jeremy Johnson18 hours agoJeremyO_Johnson
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Georgia forward Kareem Stagg (1) during Georgia’s game against Georgia State at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta, Ga., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (Conor Dillon/UGAAA)

Georgia freshman forward Kareem Stagg is getting his growing pains out early. He got his dunk attempt blocked in Georgia’s first exhibition game against Georgia State last week.

That was his ‘welcome to college basketball moment’.

Stagg signed with Georgia as the No. 73 overall prospect in the 2025 Rivals Industry Rankings. Georgia’s plan for him and belief in his ability sold Stagg on Mike White and the Bulldogs.

“I think it was the staff’s belief in me and just their plan for me, like just to come in and just get better,” Stagg told reporters on Monday.

Kareem Stagg is looking to remain versatile

Stagg could be in for a big role for Georgia in his freshman season in Athens, and it will be because of his ability to do a lot of things on the basketball court.

Stagg has watched a lot of the Golden State Warriors in his lifetime, which means he’s watched a lot of Draymond Green. He is also a versatile four-man who can slide between as many as three positions.

“I think it’s going to help it (the team) a lot,” Stagg said of his versatility. “Thankfully, they let me just go out there and play my game. Just let me do what I feel like I normally do, what I’m comfortable doing. So, just to help the team a lot. Coach White was telling me, I’ve got to stay versatile. That’s probably the best part of my game.”

Stagg is a basketball lover. He’s watched a lot of it and takes from everyone he can to build a game that can be a lot of different things.

“I just watch a lot of basketball,” Stagg said. “I try to mimic a lot of guys. Every time I watch, okay, I’m going on the court to do it. In high school, I got to play a lot of the forward positions. I think when you play the four, you’ve got to be versatile. You’ve got to be able to do everything.”

Georgia will wrap up preseason play on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs will host Troy at Stegman Coliseum for the final tune-up of the preseason. The Bulldogs open the regular season on Nov. 3 against Bellarmine.

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