While the headline is Cade Cunningham heading to Detriot Pistons, Oklahoma State Basketball is reloading in 2021-2022. The Cowboys return a core that showed glimpses of excellence, and a pair of transfers that will immediately make an impact.
Since taking the job in 2017-2018, Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Boynton has proved he can win in a multitude of ways, in different ways.
Whether adding some of the best recruits in college basketball, building around a young core, or adding transfers, Boynton has made his mark in the Big 12.
Here’s a look at the projected depth chart for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2021-2022.
Point Guard
Starter: Avery Anderson
Cade Cunningham ended up being the No. 1 overall pick, and the given shot selection will vary out. Anderson can get to the hole and has good size at 6-foot-3. He shot 52% from inside the arc and is a solid free throw shooter at 83.9%.
The inconsistency in his game is his three-point shot. Anderson was just 32.8% last year and took 2.1 per game. For that low of a volume, Anderson needs to be connecting on more, to become a top-three guard in the conference.
Anderson showed glimpses of being a closer, with his 31 point performance against No.6 West Virginia proving it. Anderson made a three-pointer, alongside four consecutive free throws to put the upset on ice.
The Cowboys’ depth has improved greatly and had a chance to reach within the top three of the conference. If Anderson’s defense continues to improve and his three-point shot is cleaned up, the Cowboys are a legitimate Top 15 team.
Bench: Bryce Williams/Chris Harris
Williams had the chance to become the starter this year but has gotten lost in the shuffle a little bit. Williams was a viable scorer, with less of a three-point shot than anticipated at 31.8%.
Williams has upside on defense and with a developed three-point shot, can be a consistently solid bench piece.
Harris has been hammered with consecutive season-ending knee injuries. Harris played just minutes of the 2020-2021 season, getting injured in the first half of the season opener against UT Arlington.
The former Top-100 recruit according to 247, still has a chance to make an impact at some point, but health is the biggest caution for Harris and his future with the Cowboy.