WKU Basketball Summer Starting Line-Up

Summer is here and classes are finally finished. While most students will be enjoying the sun, the WKU basketball team will be taking classes and getting in some early practice. This year’s squad is already being dubbed as “Team Reset”, and expectations are high all around. Summer practice is a time to build camaraderie with players new and old. It may be early, but with the team assembling in less than a month, I thought it’d be fun to speculate on next year’s starting lineup.

Jamal Crook and Caden Dickerson are the two players that stick out as the only players who will go into the summer with a starting position favoring them. Senior Kahlil McDonald may have a bit of a lead to start at the shooting guard position, but with Derrick “Mr. Hilltopper” Gordon coming in, he can expect some good competition. exceJunior fan favorite Teeng Akol  doesn’t have much competition at the Center position except for, his good friend and fellow 7 footer, Deng Leek. It’ll be nice for Teeng to have someone his height to battle in practice for once in his life. The Power Forward position is the most wide open of any of the position battles. Freshmen George Fant and Vinny Zollo are the two most likely to battle it out, but Sophomores Stephon Drane and Kenny Anyigbo are two adequate forwards that could also step in and start. Drane and Leek could provide height at the forward position while Anyigbo and Zollo can provide physicality and toughness. Fant is the most likely to take the spot due to his offensive post game along with the energy he brings to the floor.

This year’s team provides the most depth of any team in WKU history. Crook will be backed up by Kevin Kaspar and possibly Derrick Gordon at point guard. Shooting Guard could include a rotation of McDonald, Gordon, and Freshman T.J. Price. The Small Forward position could include anyone from a guard to Nigel Snipes or one of the guys slated to compete at Power Forward. Power Forward and Center could include any number of combinations. Foul trouble should be the least of the worries for Coach McDonald and his staff.

Bottom Line, this is my starting lineup for next season’s opener:

PG- Jamal Crook

SG- Derrick Gordon

SF- Caden Dickerson

PF- George Fant

C- Teeng Akol

George Fant shows the engery and athleticism he will bring to WKU next season.