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Rhode Island Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22

By Adam Bernstein

Nov 28, 2020; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Rhode Island Rams forward Jermaine Harris (0) reacts after a play against the South Florida Bulls in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2020; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Rhode Island Rams forward Jermaine Harris (0) reacts after a play against the South Florida Bulls in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rhode Island Basketball Jeremy Sheppard David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Rhode Island Basketball Jeremy Sheppard David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guard/ Shooting Guard

The 2021-22 Rhode Island Rams guard depth is strong, however, the program has not really produced guards that can shoot from long-range in recent years. The Rams guards have been known to score from inside the paint but, with more teams taking shots from three-point range that could change this season.

Rhode Island has several scoring options that will be useful in close game situations and when overcoming runs that opposing teams will make. Let’s dive into where the Rams will see big scoring production on their roster this season.

Starters: Ishmael El-Amin, Jeremy Sheppard

El-Amin and Sheppard are both entering their fifth season at the collegiate level. They will provide experience and pure scoring to the roster. We can expect them to mentor the other notable guards and underclassmen on the roster.

Ishmael El-Amin transferred from Ball State University where he was a two-time All-Mac selection. The Minnesota native is the son of Khalid El-Amin who was part of the 1999 UConn team that won the NCAA championship. Last season, he finished second on the team with 16.2 points per game. He started all 23 games for the Ball State Cardinals and led the team in three-pointers (53), assists (63), and free throw percentage (88%).

Jeremy Sheppard is going into his third season with the Rams but, fifth collegiate season. As a freshman, he played at East Carolina where he was named to the AAC All-Freshman team. He spent his sophomore year at the College of Central Florida. Sheppard took a redshirt year at Rhode Island his junior year due to transfer ineligibility.

Last season, he was an impact player for Rhode Island. Sheppard averaged 11.3 points per game which were the second-most on the team. He led the team in three-pointers made with 37.

Bench: Ishmael Leggett, Jalen Carey, Tres Berry, Sebastian Thomas

Ishmael Leggett enters his second year with the program. After a very impressive freshman year, many can expect him to continue his success this season. Last season, Leggett impressed going up against talented programs such as Dayton and VCU. He scored career-high 18 points and made five three-pointers against Dayton.

Leggett also posted 17 points against VCU. He made 25 appearances and would end up starting eight games. He finished the season averaging 6.6 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game. I’m expecting Leggett to carry over his success into sophomore year.

Jalen Carey enters his second season with the program after transferring from Syracuse. Carey would start two games last season for the Rams. He averaged 4.3 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Tres Berry took a redshirt season with the Rams last year. Berry helped Scotland Campus (Pa.) reach back-to-back appearances in the National Prep Championship. We can expect him to come off the bench and be very involved in the rotation.

Sebastian Thomas will be entering the program this season. The Providence native will be taking a redshirt year with the Rams. He averaged 23.5 points per game in high school with the Bishop Hendricken Hawks. We can expect him to get minutes during his freshman year in the 2022-2023 season.

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