ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

The Demon Deacons have to deal with two key departures in ACC Basketball Player of the Year Alondes Williams, as well as 1st round NBA Draft pick Jake LaRavia. That’s a ton of production and talent gone but head coach Steve Forbes is hoping for more transfer portal success with four veteran newcomers.

6th-year transfer Tyree Appleby was a double-digit scorer at Florida in the past couple of years, as well as running point. He’s likely the starting point guard for Wake Forest, joined by Marist transfer and MAAC Rookie of the Year Jao Ituka. The 6’1 guard averaged 15.3 ppg as a freshman and shot a ridiculous 53% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Returning starting guard Daivien Williamson will remain a key part of the offense and is a 40% shooter from deep so there’s a lot of potential floor spacing with this roster.

That also includes another transfer in Andrew Carr, a 6’9 forward that shot 41% from deep as well. And true center Davion Bradford gives Wake Forest actual size inside, alongside four-star freshmen, Bobi Klintman and Zach Keller. A healthy Damari Monsanto on the wings gives them another scorer and defender as well.

The concern with the Deacons is the lack of starpower if Williamson is the best player. But if this team ends up being in the top-10 nationally in three-point shooting this season, that alone will win them a lot of games in league play.