Auburn Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season
By Matt Melton
Power Forward
Starter: Jabari Smith
The frontcourt is undoubtedly the strength of the 2021-22 Tigers with power forward being arguably the biggest strength of all. The starter at the position? Jabari Smith, the highest-rated recruit in Auburn Basketball history.
Smith comes to Auburn as a consensus Top 5 overall player from the Class of 2021, as well as receiving Naismith First-Team All-American honors last season. Attending Sandy Creek High School (GA) a year ago, Smith averaged 23.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 2.5 BPG while shooting 56% from the field.
Named Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia last season, Smith can impact a game in multiple different ways at 6’10 and should be a focal point for the Tigers on both ends of the court. Smith will likely lead the Tigers in both scoring and rebounding this season and will be one of the top frontcourt players in the SEC, if not the entire country, during the 2021-22 campaign.
Backup: Jaylin Williams
After starting in 26 of 27 games at the position for Auburn a year ago, Williams will likely serve as the primary backup to Smith. That is not a bad thing at all for the Tigers however as Williams will likely be one of the more experienced frontcourt bench options in the SEC.
The junior enjoyed a breakout campaign a year ago in which he averaged 10.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2 APG, and 1.4 BPG as a mainstay in the Tigers starting lineup, while also shooting an impressive 51.8% from the field and 34% from three. Despite likely not starting, Williams will play a significant role for the Tigers this season as a constant in Auburn’s frontcourt rotation.