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Washington State Basketball: Projected depth chart and rotation for 2023-24 season

By Jason Burgess

Feb 23, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Washington State Cougars bench celebrates after the basket against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Washington State Cougars bench celebrates after the basket against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington State Basketball guard Jabe Mullin James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Washington State Basketball guard Jabe Mullin James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting wing – Jabe Mullins

Senior: 2022-23 stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 43.0 3P%

Reserves-Jr. Jaylen Wells, RS Fr. Shae Korpela, RS Fr. Braden Korpela

While Mullins will get some minutes at shooting guard, I expect him to be the main guy at the small forward. In fact, it’s the small forward spot where the Cougars have the most depth on their roster, but the question is, how much of that depth sees the floor? The guy that could push Mullins for the starting spot is newcomer Jaylen Wells who starred at Division II Sonoma State last season. The 6-8 native of Sacramento did it all for Sonoma State last year averaging 22.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists (which would’ve been second-best on Washington State) and his 1.6 steals nearly doubled the Cougars’ leader.

The depth at the position is likely to come from a pair of 6-7 twin brothers from Colorado. Shae and Braden Korpela both redshirted last season after leading Aspen High School to an undefeated season and its first state title. The two averaged over 28 points per game as seniors. Shae played some off-guard in high school but I suspect the brothers will see most of their minutes at the small forward position when they’re on the floor. But, the minutes they do see will likely be limited in their first season with Mullins and Wells likely to become interchangeable pieces for Smith.

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