ACC Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

Virginia: Jayden Gardner and Kody Stattman

Decrease in production: Jayden Gardner

The East Carolina Pirates averaged 66.8 points per game with a 68.9 Pace of Play in the American Athletic Conference. Jayden Gardner was the leading scorer for the Pirates in 2020-21 with an average of 18.3 points per game as he was named to the All-AAC First-Team. As the only player to average double-digit shot attempts, Gardner connected on 48 percent of the over 13 shots he attempted.

The 6’7 forward was clearly the first option for the Pirates in the frontcourt, a situation that could remain the same with Sam Hauser and Jay Huff no longer wearing Orange, that – however – is just one thing that will remain the same. No matter how much Gardner scores on a Virginia team that averaged nine fewer possessions per 40 minutes and four fewer shot attempts than East Virginia, the key for Gardner staying on the court will be how he is on the defensive end.  If Gardner is able to improve on his 99.6 defensive ratings, he will earn more minutes, yet still take fewer shots.

Increase in production: Kody Stattman

Kody Stattman played just thirty-four minutes last season, making an increase in production forgone conclusion, but Stattman will be an important piece off of head coach Tony Bennett’s bench. The 6’8 forward has the ability to play either forward position leaving Coach Bennett the option to move Armaan Franklin into the backcourt, or to move Jayden Gardner to the center spot. Regardless of the scenario it all adds up to significant court time.

Having only attempted 62 two-point field goals over his three seasons, he has connected on half of them while being a career 78 percent shooter from the free-throw line. His career per-40 minutes average of 8.4 points might be a lofty expectation, his 4.9 rebounds per 40-minutes will be surpassed by his per-game average.