With the 2022-23 Washington Husky Men’s Basketball roster seemingly complete, after the addition of Kentucky transfer Keion Brooks, it’s time to start making predictions on the starting 5 for this coming season. RealDawg.com’s Reece McCully digs into Washington’s roster and makes some educated predictions for
At point guard, there will be a tough decision to make. Noah Williams, a transfer from Washington State, had a rough season last year but if he is able to return to his sophomore year form, he could walk onto Montlake as the presumed starter. Two small issues though, Koren Johnson and PJ Fuller. Koren Johnson, an incoming freshman has a solid chance to make a big impact, even if it’s off the bench. If Noah Williams comes to UW slightly rusty it would not be a shock to see Johnson have an increase in minutes as the year goes on. The same can be said for PJ Fuller who filled in for Terrell Brown Jr off the bench last season as well as at shooting guard for Cole Bajema and Jamal Bey. It is a distinct possibility that PJ gets the secondary spot yet again at the point guard as well as at the shooting guard. The other incoming freshman Keyon Menifield has an outside chance at playing time but it’s more likely, in my opinion, that he gets redshirted before being thrown into the deep end.
The Point Guard prediction
Starter: Noah Williams
Backup(s): PJ Fuller, Koren Johnson
Rotational piece/redshirt: Keyon Menifield
At shooting guard it is a bit more cut and dry, Jamal Bey was last year’s starter and it can be presumed that he will be next year’s as well. There is an outside chance that Cole Bajema or PJ Fuller can steal the job but I think, at this moment, Jamal Bey starts as a 5th-year senior followed by a heavy addition of Bajema and Fuller when Jamal Bey takes a break.
The Shooting Guard prediction
Starter: Jamal Bey
Backup(s): Cole Bajema, PJ Fuller
Small forward is probably the easiest prediction to can make for the team: Keion Brooks. That’s why Mike Hopkins recruited him in the first place. They need to fill the hole Emmitt Matthews left. Which is exactly what Brooks will do. Now, who backs him up is the question. Well, there are a few options. Samuel Ariyibi is the only other true small forward on the roster. However, he is very much an unknown, due to us seeing almost nothing of him last season. There is a chance he can carve out some playing time at the 3 position, but at the moment it is impossible to make a prediction on where he stands in the lineup. Someone we have a lot more information about is Langston Wilson. While being listed as a power forward, if he doesn’t win the starting spot there it could be presumed he gets playing time at both the 3 and the 4.
The Small Forward prediction
Starter: Keion Brooks
Backup: Langston Wilson
Rotational piece: Samuel Ariyibi
Power forward is another tough one. Of all the power forwards on the roster, not one has made a name for himself just yet. Jackson Grant had a chance last year but the former 4-star had a bout of Covid early in the season which slowed his development and he lost quite a bit of weight. Grant is poised to have a breakout season this year, but he does have competition in the lanky, Langston Wilson. When Grant got sick, Wilson was the one who got the backup role last year, and he never let it go. Now that the starting spot is open, Wilson has a chance to take the starting role. At this point in time, I don’t think there is enough information to make a good prediction. The only certainty is that incoming freshman Tyler Linhardt will most likely serve a small role in the rotation and possibly get redshirted.
The Power Forwardprediction
Starter: Jackson Grant/Langston Wilson
Rotational piece/redshirt: Tyler Linhardt
It was obvious that after Nate Roberts left, Coach Hopkins has some big shoes to fill… literally. He did just that with dual seven-footers Frank Kepnang from Oregon and Braxton Meah from Fresno State. Both of these guys have high potential but in my opinion, the likely starter will be Frank Kepnang. Although Riley Sorn may have something to say about that. The most experienced center on the roster has a chance to finally make a name for himself in his final year and finally make that jump every Husky fan has been hoping.
The Center prediction:
Starter: Frank Kepnang
Backup(s): Riley Sorn/Braxton Meah
Final Predictions
Noah Williams at point guard
Jamal Bey at shooting guard
Keion Brooks at the small forward
Jackson Grant or Langston Wilson at the power forward
Frank Kepnang at center
Coach Hopkins needs this season to go well or his seat will be hotter than it already is.
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