Stanford Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Cardinal
By Connor Hope
Projected Starters
Stanford’s recent Italian tour allowed us to get a closer look at how Coach Haase wants his rotation to look. The Cardinal ran out the same starting lineup for all three games, and the players’ performances did not indicate any need for change.
Tyrell Terry – Freshman Guard
2018-19 Stats: N/A
The highest-rated player in Stanford’s 2019 freshman class, Tyrell Terry appears to be Coach Haase’s choice to man the point guard position this season. Pushing junior guard Daejon Davis to the second guard spot, Terry is ranked as the ninth-best point guard in 247Sports’ 2019 composite recruiting rankings. Although Terry appears unathletic and light, his quickness and feel for the game have impressed so far during Stanford’s Italian tour. His willingness to find the open shooter will fit perfectly in at the primary point spot.
Daejon Davis – Junior Guard
2018-19 Stats: 30.2 mpg, 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals
With Terry coming in to play the primary point position, junior guard Daejon Davis will be able to return to his natural spot as the team’s shooting guard. His ability to play off the ball should create better looks and return his scoring efficiency to his freshman year numbers, when he shot 40% from deep. While he will play off the ball more this season, he will still be looked upon to have the ball in his hands in critical situations.
Bryce Wills – Sophomore Wing
2018-19 Stats: 25.1 mpg, 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals
After entering last season as one of the youngest players in the country, Bryce Wills impressed his teammates and opponents with his size and strength. He was already a well-developed defensive asset; however, his offensive efficiency will need to take a big step forward in his second season. Given his ability to play multiple positions from point guard to an undersized power forward, Wills could be one of the most improved players in the Pac-12.
Oscar Da Silva – Junior Forward
2018-19 Stats: 28.3 mpg, 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks
Like Davis, junior forward Oscar Da Silva saw his scoring efficiency drop during his sophomore season. A promising young player out of Germany, Da Silva saw his 3-point shooting drop from 56% to just under 26% and his increased usage led to more turnovers. Da Silva’s defense, however, improved and he became a strong asset over the course of the season. If Da Silva’s 3-point shooting can return to somewhere in the middle of his first two seasons, he could become the biggest offensive threat on the team.
Lukas Kišūnas – Sophomore Center
2018-19 Stats: 6.2 mpg, 1.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.1 assists
Rising sophomore Lukas Kišūnas was already the favorite to earn the starting job this offseason, but the medical retirement of senior Trevor Stanback solidified Kišūnas’ spot in the rotation. The jump from just over six minutes per game into the starting lineup will be a big transition for Kišūnas, but his efficiency in limited minutes last season should give Cardinal fans some hope. If he can continue to shoot over 50% and patrol the paint on the defensive end, Kišūnas will be a valuable asset.