The Sun Devils could sure use Boakye this season. Despite having an impressive backcourt featuring Remy Martin, Alonzo Verge Jr., and five-star freshman Joshua Christopher, along with a top-30 combo forward in Marcus Bagley, the team’s lack of a frontcourt has put them under. 500 overall on the season and nowhere near the bubble for the Big Dance.
With both Christopher and Bagley likely gone as 1st-rounders for the NBA Draft and Martin and Verge leaving as graduating seniors ready to go pro, the roster for the future is going to look vastly different. The most promising piece on the current roster long-term is sophomore forward Jalen Graham, averaging 8.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg while playing mostly at the five-spot.
Arizona State does have four commits in the 2021 class, all listed as three-star prospects. None of them are centers and outside of JUCO reserve big Chris Osten, the team doesn’t have much size. There’s an expectation that the Sun Devils will target a big man in the transfer market this offseason unless they can possibly land Boakye to place right there at the center position.
There has been some talk about head coach Bobby Hurley potentially being on the hot seat but I’m doubtful he’s in much danger. Still, the momentum of landing Christopher last offseason has fallen due to the on-the-court issues during the season. It’ll be hard to see them winning an open recruiting battle starting over right now.