Texas Basketball: Can young Longhorns challenge Kansas?
By Doug Winkey
Power forward: Shaquille Cleare
Shaq Cleare is clearly the enforcer for this year’s Texas basketball roster. Never an offensive showstopper, Cleare is easily the most physically imposing presence on the Longhorns’ team. Look for him to play an important defensive role for a squad that will rely heavily on youth in the front court.
Cleare is listed at an imposing 6’8″, 285 pounds. He contributed 3.6 points and 2.9 boards in only 12 minutes per game in 2015-16. He is also the only returning regular player taller than 6’6″.
Because of his offensive limitations, Cleare might not get much more time than his career average of 12.6 minutes per game.
He will still see a decent amount of time alongside the young Longhorns up front though. 13-16 minutes, 4-5 points and 3-5 rebounds are solid projections for the senior.