Drake basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Bulldogs

Sturtz, DeVries and who else?

DeVries is a 6’6 wing with great expectations. As a Top-100 player and Iowa’s ‘Mr. Basketball’ fans and media members will expect him to cure cancer, win the NCAA Tournament, and sell season tickets. He is uber-talented and should be a major contributor to this year’s team.

DeVries can score from very deep and can get to the paint and score in traffic. He is the coach’s son and so we expect him to play efficiently and within the Bulldog system.

Garrett Sturtz is a two-time all-bench and scholar-athlete, and HE’S FINALLY ON SCHOLARSHIP! The 6’3 senior former walk-on has participated in 94 Bulldog games while averaging seven points and 4.7 rebounds over those three seasons.

He is the ultimate ‘Swiss Army Knife’. While he rarely takes a three-point shot, the Newton, Iowa native finished seventh in the Valley in steals, fourteenth in rebounding, and ninth in offensive rebounds. Sturtz is a fan favorite.

Joseph Yesufu’s departure hurt Drake’s versatility and depth. When Penn and Hemphill went down, Yesufu became an explosive offensive performer. Now he will ride the Kansas bench.

Jonah Jackson, Nate Ferguson, and Issa Samake played extensive minutes last season. Omaha transfer Ayo Akinwole averaged 13 points per game and made 46% of his shots from deep. Freshman guard Conor Enright arrives from Mundelein, Illinois.

Who garners a lot of playing time after the top seven players, is up for grabs.