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Belmont Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for the Bruins

By Harry Schroeder

Nov 22, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Belmont Bruins head coach Casey Alexander reacts to a play against LSU Tigers during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Belmont Bruins head coach Casey Alexander reacts to a play against LSU Tigers during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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Belmont head coach Casey Alexander Nas Vandy Belmont Nit 016
Belmont head coach Casey Alexander Nas Vandy Belmont Nit 016 /

Key reserves to watch

While unproven, there is some outstanding talent on the Belmont roster.

6’9 senior Derek Sabin missed most of last season with an injury. The Wisconsin native played in 30 games (starting eight) two seasons ago. His ‘per 40 minutes’ numbers are impressive and point to his potential to contribute.

Jakobi Gillespie has been impressing his teammates during summer and early season practices. Tennessee’s ‘Mr. Basketball’ was the State Tournament MVP and averaged 27 points per game for Greeneville High School.

Gillespie is an elite athlete that turned down football scholarship offers from SEC and ACC schools.

Isaiah Walker, Kyler Vanderjagt, and Keith Robbins are each taller guards with sterling prep careers of their own. Walker was the 2021 Cincinnati player of the year, redshirted last season and Alexander says Walker made full use of that year to get stronger and more prepared for D1 hoops. He may be the most highly rated of Alexander’s talented freshman class.

Vanderjagt was Michigan’s Mr. Basketball runner-up. He is one of four players, including former national top recruit Emoni Bates from his Northview High School team playing Division 1 basketball.

After sitting out his junior season, Robbins averaged nearly 20 points per game last year and is one of the top three-point shooters from the State of Georgia.

6’6 forward Cade Tyson was North Carolina’s ‘Mr. Basketball’ and recorded over 2,000 prep points. While averaging 24 points, he also grabbed eight rebounds per game. His older brother Hunter plays at Clemson.