Virginia Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for Cavaliers

By Joey Loose | Oct 20, 2022

Mar 5, 2022; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Kihei Clark (0) looks to pass the ball under the pressure of Louisville Cardinals guard Jarrod West (13) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Virginia defeated Louisville 71-61. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

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Virginia Basketball forward Jayden Gardner Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected Starters

Guard – Kihei Clark (Junior)

A national champion during his freshman season with this squad, Clark returns to lead the Cavaliers for a fifth and final season, taking advantage of that bonus year from the pandemic. He’s averaged right around 10 points a game each of the last three seasons, but it’s his defensive intensity and ability to run the point that should have these Cavaliers excited to have him back one more time.

Guard – Reece Beekman (Junior)

Beekman enters his third season as a key piece in the Cavalier’s backcourt. An All-ACC Defense team member last year, he averaged 8.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.1 steals a game last season and clearly rates as an important piece on the defensive end for the Cavaliers. If his offense can take another step forward he could potentially blossom into an All-ACC type of player down the line.

Guard – Armaan Franklin (Senior)

After two seasons with Indiana, Franklin joined the fold for Virginia last season, sliding into an important role on the wing. His shooting numbers were down last year, making just 29% of his 3-pointers after hitting 42% as a sophomore with the Hoosiers. If he can improve on those numbers and continue to take care of the basketball, then he’ll be a stud this season.

Forward – Jayden Gardner (Senior)

Another former transfer, Gardner is a scoring stud, leading the Cavaliers with 15.3 points and 6.4 rebounds a game last season. Sitting on 1999 career points, he’s a slightly undersized big who knows how to score in multiple ways in the interior offense and is clearly an important piece on both sides of the ball.

Forward – Kadin Shedrick (Junior)

After splitting time at the 5 last season, we’re penciling in Shedrick to take the position. The 6’11 center accumulated 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season while also ranking second in the ACC in blocks. His presence at the back end of the defense as a shot blocker is as important as ever, especially if his offense can continue to improve.

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