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Stanford Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Cardinal

By Jerran Anderson

Feb 7, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; The Pac-12 logo appears on the court as seen before the game between the Stanford Cardinal and the California Golden Bears at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; The Pac-12 logo appears on the court as seen before the game between the Stanford Cardinal and the California Golden Bears at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stanford Basketball Jaiden Delaire Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford Basketball Jaiden Delaire Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected starting lineup

Point Guard – Michael O’Connell, Soph.

Michael O’Connell had a solid debut season for Stanford basketball in 2020-21. The 6-foot-2 lead guard put up 6.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, and 1.3 spg and shot 46.8 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point land.

While he only took 5.0 total field goal attempts per contest, he’s due to up his production and contribute a lot more. He’s their top assist-maker from a year ago and with more weapons on the wing to pass to, he’ll be looked upon to do a whole lot more as a sophomore floor general.

Guard/Wing – Isa Silva, Freshman

While a lot has been said and written about Harrison Ingram, Stanford basketball has another highly-touted recruit set to make their debut in their starting rotation with Isael Silva. He spent the 2020-21 season at Prolific Prep (AZ).

The 6-foot-4 guard chose the Cardinal over Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas, and USC to show you just how much talent he’s got in his game. He’s a floor general that should take a ton of pressure off of O’Connell at the other guard spot with his high IQ and playmaking ability as a big guard.

Wing/Forward – Spencer Jones, Junior

Spencer Jones is another returner from a season ago set to play a starting role once again in 2021-22. Through 26 appearances (25 starts) in 2020-21, he averaged 8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.2 spg and 1.0 apg.

Jones is the team’s best 3-point shooter from a year ago after leading the team in 3-pointers (46) and 3-point field goal percentage (37.1 percent) and will look to play a bigger role with the departures of Williams, Da Silva and Daejon Davis (Washington).

With more minutes and a bigger role on the horizon for Jones, look for him to emerge as a top shooter from the arc in Pac 12 basketball in 2021-22.

Forward/Wing  – Harrison Ingram, Freshman

Harrison Ingram is a hybrid prospect at 6-foot-8, 230-pounds that can make plays and get to the rim and defend with a ton of presence on the wing and on the perimeter. His senior season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through seven games, he posted 22.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg and 8.4 apg before things were shut down early.

He did manage to show a glimpse of what he can do this past summer with a gold medal victory with Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Cup while averaging 4.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 1.7 spg and led the team in steals (12) alongside Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) and some other top freshmen prospects.

He’s a dynamic prospect with a lot of NBA upside that will be looked upon to play a role right away in the Stanford basketball rotation as a playmaker, scorer, and defender.

Forward/Center – Jaiden Delaire, Senior

Jaiden Delaire is the fourth returning name with a ton of production under his belt in the starting lineup. He’s the top returning scorer (12.5 ppg) and rebounder (4.1 rpg) from their 2020-21 rotation and will look to give them some veteran experience in the frontcourt.

The 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward gives them a presence inside and out with his ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting as well. Delaire knocked down 32.6 percent of his shots from behind the arc while going 14-of-43 and taking home the Pac-12’s Most Improved Player award. With room to grow, he’ll be another offensive option for them at the 4-spot.

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