Rutgers Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Scarlet Knights

Key Reserves

Candido Sa

Sa is a big man from Portugal, who was a junior college transfer last year for Rutgers. Sa is a really good rim protector and loves to block shots. Pikiell has some lineup configurations that will have Sa and Freeman on the floor at the same time. This will ensure that Rutgers is able to maximize their shot blocking ability. Sa is another player who is on the floor because of his defense. He is an athletic kid who is able to defend both guards and forwards. That kind of versatility is nice to have, as not every player can do that. Sa does not have much of an offensive game, but his shot blocking ability makes up for all of that.

Shaquille Doorson

Shaquille Doorson could be a sneaky good player for Pikiell. Doorson has never reached his full potential. His freshman year, he was still learning the American style of basketball because Doorson is from the Netherlands. His sophomore year, he broke his foot before the season even started. Last year, Doorson started to come into his own and he is a great rebounder. He averaged nine rebounds a game last year and barely played double-digit minutes. Doorson is a big body, standing at 7’0” and close to 300 pounds. If Doorson can avoid injury this year, the sky is the limit for him.

Souf Mensah

Mensah is in his first season with the Rutgers basketball program after transferring from a junior college. However, the French Mensah is the backup point guard on this team and should provide quality minutes right out of the gate. If Rutgers wants to compete this year, or at least be competitive, it is imperative that Corey Sanders and DeShawn Freeman stay healthy. If Rutgers is able to get Sanders off the floor with another ball handler that is only to their advantage and should help keep Sanders legs fresh for the end of the season.

Myles Johnson

Johnson is the prize of the class for Pikiell. Johnson is a long athletic shot blocker who should see some minutes right away. Johnson has a better offensive game than Doorson does, and they rebound about the same. Since Rutgers will probably be out of a few games by halftime this year, the freshman on this team should get a lot of minutes. It will be interesting to watch how Myles Johnson adjusts to Rutgers. Johnson is from Long Beach, California and is playing basketball across the United States away from family and friends.