Louisville Basketball: Preview of Cardinals 2020-21 depth chart

Point Guards

As a freshman last year, David Johnson saw his role grow substantially as the season progressed, eventually working his way into the starting lineup before leading his team to a massive victory over the Duke Blue Devils with a career-high 19 points. Now as a sophomore and proven team leader, expect Johnson to not only maintain his role as a starter but become a primary offensive focal point for the Cardinals.

Likely to average 25 to 30 minutes per game this year, Johnson’s workload poises to likely tower over not just all other point guard candidates, but almost all other teammates as well. But although he remains the team’s strongest point guard option, a solid understudy remains an asset certainly required if the team aspires to achieve true greatness. That leaves us with additional sophomore Josh Nickelberry.

Although he only averaged 3.7 minutes per game last year, Nickelberry remains a former four-star recruit with an ability to create his own shot and lateral quickness certain to assist him as a defender. Coach Mack might not ask too much from Nickelberry with Johnson aboard, but he enters as a solid glue guy, taking up a role with less excitement but of equal importance. Fielding a workload similar to Johnson last year, watch for Nickelberry to contribute with around 15 minutes per game.

Walk-on Ashton Myles-Devore also helps round out the position as a depth piece for the team going forward. Undoubtedly as players to serve during games concluded before the buzzer sounds, this position still remains one firmly grasped within Johnson’s hands, and with Nickelberry ready to provide relief whenever called upon.