During the 1990's a total of 12 Georgetown guard failed to progress to their junior season, from David Edwards to Kenny Brunner. The last of these was Shernard Long, whose promising season in 1997-98 was the end of a brief career on the Hilltop.

Long joined the Hoyas in 1996-97, a backup to All-America guard Victor Page, where he averaged 4.5 points per game despite some poor shooting percentages (34 percent from the field, 18 percent from three). Following the transfers of Ed Sheffey and Kenny Brunner, Long became the top backcourt option for the Hoyas in a year where they fell from the Big East divisional champs in 1997 to a three way tie for last with a 6-12 conference record.

Long led the team in scoring in 1998 but was declared ineligible for the fall semester, and following a similar outcome at the end of the semester, transferred to Georgia State. Long became the first two-time all-conference player in Georgia State history, averaging 17 points per game over his two seasons. During his senior year, Long was named the Atlantic Sun Conference's Player of the Year and led GSU (29-5) to its first ever NCAA tournament win, as the Panthers upset #5 Wisconsin 50-49.

Shernard Long earned an associates degree from Georgia State and currently serves as a technical recruiter.