Duquesne Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Dukes

Mar 4, 2021; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Duquesne Dukes players celebrate after the final buzzer of their game against the Richmond Spiders in the second round of the 2021 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Stuart C. Siegel Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kevin Easley Jr. TCU Horned Frogs (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Projected starters for Duquesne Basketball

PG – FR Jackie Johnson

The 5’11 guard was an elite scorer in his high school days, averaging nearly 30 ppg as a senior. Johnson can shoot the ball well from deep and is quick as well, capable of getting to the basket with ease. Although smaller than typical point guards and without D-I experience, don’t be surprised if Johnson, who has the highest ceiling among all the ball-handlers, doesn’t end up starting by league play.

SG – SR Leon Ayers

2020-21 stats (at Mercer): 12.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.9 apg

The 6’6 guard came mostly off the bench at Mercer last season but was an efficient and effective scorer overall. Ayers had 15 games of at least 14 points, including a season-high 23 against The Citadel. And he also shot 39% from three-point range as well. Ayers is the most proven perimeter scorer on the roster for Duquesne. Look for him to be a go-to option on offense, while also capable of guarding multiple positions on the defensive end.

SF – SO Toby Okani

2020-21 stats: 4.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.9 apg

Okani started nine games last season and has high long-term potential as a 6’9 wing. He’s a great athlete and driver to the basket, while also capable of spreading the floor. If he has a breakout campaign in him as a sophomore, Okani could be a featured piece in the rotation.

PF – JR Kevin Easley

2020-21 stats (at TCU): 4.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg

The 6’7 combo forward struggled at TCU last season, going in and out of the rotation. But Easley was a big performer as a freshman at Chattanooga, averaging over 14 ppg and nearly seven rebounds. His three-point shooting was around 40% as well. Easley’s versatility and offensive talent could allow him to thrive in the Atlantic 10, which is much more comparable to the SoCon than the Big 12.

C – JR Tre Williams

2020-21 stats (at Indiana State): 9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg

An All-Missouri Valley defender, Williams is a 6’7 big man who started two seasons with the Sycamores and is one of the better interior defenders in all of the A-10. He also showed that he can be a solid post scorer, going for double-digits offensively in 14 games last season. If Williams can be more consistent on that end while remaining a force defensively, he could very well be the best newcomer on the Dukes’ roster.

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