Arizona State Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Sun Devils
By Cody Larson
Key Reserves
Guard: Holland Woods, Senior
Arizona State will have a surplus at the guard position this year and the acquisition of Portland State senior transfer, Holland Woods. A similar-styled floor general to Remy Martin, Woods will be the perfect second unit leader and spark plug option for the Sun Devils. He demonstrated limitless range for Portland State last season and he has a very quick trigger on his pull-up jumper.
He also averaged 2.1 steals per game last year and actually does have some off-ball shooting/cutting potential. His on-ball usage will definitely decrease for ASU, so capitalizing on that potential will be a big x-factor.
Note: for those who are unaware of all that Woods is capable of, take a glance here at his excellent 39 point performance against the Montana Grizzlies.
Guard: Jaelen House, Sophomore
Jaelen House’s 2019-20 resume will not pop off the page. He only averaged 3.9 points per game last season, for example. Yet, even considering that, House still could be in line to be a breakout candidate for the Sun Devils in 2020-21.
That is because where House’s impact is most felt lies on the defensive end of the floor. He is a pesky on-ball defender who plays with a tong of passion and energy. He will be the tone-setter of this Sun Devils team, despite likely not having the ball in his hands too much.
Forward: Taeshon Cherry, Junior
Former top-40 recruit, Taeshon Cherry, is still waiting to live up to the high expectations that come with being such a highly ranked player. This next season may be his chance to do that, though not how he may have initially visualized.
Cherry has the opportunity to be a valuable connecting piece in the rotation. He is a tough player who gives the coach Hurley a very switchable defender. Cherry has great size and energy; enough that allows him to thrive guarding down low and on the perimeter.
Now, all he has to do is re-find his 3-point shooting stroke (34.5 percent as a freshman; 22.7 percent as a sophomore) to round out his connecting role.
Forward: Kimani Lawrence, Senior
It is always good to have plenty of experience coming off the bench; experience worthy of starting is even better. Enter Kimani Lawrence, a senior with 38 games started in his career. With freshman Marcus Bagley entering the fold this year, it makes more sense for Lawrence (a less dynamic forward) to slide to the bench. Lawrence’s combination of athleticism, occasional shooting touch, and defensive flexibility makes him an easy fit in most lineup combinations.
Center: Chris Osten, Junior
ASU has a plethora of guard talent, but in terms of true center talent down low? Not so much. To fill that void, coach Hurley dug deep into the available talent pool before scratching out a pickup from Lee College, Chris Osten.
Some might see the school he hails from and instantly dismisses Osten as a legitimate contributor, but his skill set holds real value for a Sun Devil team cut slim for big men. He’s a great presence on defense and a real shot-blocking threat; which is a welcome addition to the rotation.