San Diego State Basketball: Projected starting lineup/depth chart for '23-24

San Diego State Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24

Mar 4, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher falls back onto his players from a ladder after defeating the Wyoming Cowboys and earning the Mountain West Conference regular season championship at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Evansville’s Gabe Bobe (0) passes the ball as he’s defended by Campbell’s Jay Pal (15) during the University of Evansville Purple Aces vs Campbell University Camels game at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, 2022.Ss120722 Uevscampbell 00004 /

Power Forward

Starter – Jay Pal (25 mpg)

The power forward spot is probably the biggest question mark for the San Diego State Aztecs this season with the departure of Keshad Johnson. Jay Pal will look to fill the void at the power forward spot for San Diego State as an addition out of the transfer portal from Campbell, formerly of the Big South. He’s a lengthy 6-foot-9 presence who should really bolster the defense for the Aztecs with his abilities. He put up 12.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg and 1.4 apg on 32.9 percent shooting from deep and 58 percent shooting from the field in 2022-23.

He’ll look to be a presence in the rebounding and shot-blocking department after finishing fifth in the Big South in rebounds (221) and third in blocks (48). He’s also quite the efficient scorer with willing playmakers around him in Lamont Butler and Darrion Trammell. Look for him to turn heads with his addition in the MWC.

Bench – Elijah Saunders (15 mpg), Miles Heide

Elijah Saunders will be looked upon to play a role this season as he enters his sophomore season with limited experience in the rotation. He appeared in just 16 games for a total of 93 minutes in 2022-23 as a freshman. He’s a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward prospect with the potential to bolster the paint attack for the Aztecs, but with a guard-heavy lineup that’s experienced, he won’t be looked upon too much on the offensive end to make an impact. It wouldn’t be totally surprising if DeMarshay Johnson is even inserted at the power forward role at some point.

Miles Heide is another freshman newcomer with the Aztecs who should see early minutes at the power forward spot this upcoming season. He’s got a college-ready frame already at 6-foot-10, 224 pounds, though he’ll need to add more muscle over time to be effective on both ends of the floor.

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