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Florida State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Seminoles

By Brad Cavallaro

GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 04: Terance Mann
GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 04: Terance Mann /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: PJ Savoy #5 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after making a three-pointer in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: PJ Savoy #5 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after making a three-pointer in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Reserves

PJ Savoy, Wing, Senior

Savoy will be the team’s sixth man and will play an impactful role. He averaged 6.7 ppg last season and will bring additional perimeter shooting off the bench. The 6’4” senior hit 50 three-pointers and shot 37% from long-range last season and bringing an experienced shot maker off the bench is such a luxury. Savoy was especially important towards the end of last season as he averaged 11 ppg in Florida State’s last five games.

Christ Koumadje, Center, Senior

Koumadje is an enormous 7’4” center who should bring rim protection to the middle of the Florida State defense. Offensively, he is an excellent lob target due to his size and length, but he is limited outside of that. His defensive impact more than makes up for it as he averaged 1.5 bpg in just 16 minutes. Koumadje will split the center minutes with Kabengele, but I’d expect Kabengele to play more than the towering senior.

David Nichols, PG, Senior

Nichols comes over from Albany where he played a prominent role in his last two seasons. He averaged 14.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, and shot 37% from three last season and will add even more experience and shot making off the bench. Nichols will act as the backup PG, but he will not be limited to that role since he will likely play alongside Forrest as well.

Wyatt Wilkes, Forward, Sophomore

Wilkes is listed as a sophomore on Florida State’s team website, but given the amount of time he missed last season, there is a strong possibility that he will get an additional year, making him a redshirt freshman. Wilkes can play both the three and the four and is known for his ability to space the floor. The top 8 of the rotation looks set in stone which means there is one or (maybe) two spots up for grabs. Wilkes would be in consideration for one of those last rotation spots.

Anthony Polite, Wing, Freshman

Polite is a 6’6” wing who redshirted as a freshman. This looks like a wise decision as Florida State was loaded with guards and wings last season. Like Wilkes, Polite will have an uphill battle for playing time this season, but the depth chart opens up for next season as there are 5 seniors. The lefty wing will be in an intense competition for the last rotation spot.

Raiquan Gray, PF, Freshman

Gray is a 6’8” PF who can handle the ball and can hit shots from the perimeter. He resembles former Georgetown forward Marcus Derrickson, although Derrickson is probably a better shooter. Gray is a smooth player who uses his big body to create space and get where he wants on the floor. He is my pick to win the final rotation spot over Wilkes, Polite, and Vassell and he should be an ideal back-up to Cofer.

Devin Vassell, Wing, Freshman

Vassell is a long athletic wing (see a trend here) who likes to play above the rim. Vassell looks like the least likely player to receive consistent minutes as the perimeter rotation is loaded with talent and experience.

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