West Virginia Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24

Center

Starter – Jesse Edwards (35 mpg)

Jesse Edwards is another transfer portal acquisition who should play a big role in the starting rotation for the Mountaineers this upcoming season. He’s built quite the resume for himself as a member of the Syracuse Orange in the ACC across the past four seasons. He’s a menacing two-way presence in the painted area who’s a double-double machine when he’s on the hardwood.

He was a third-team All-ACC selection and an All-Defensive team selection after posting 14.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 1.6 apg and 1.4 spg on 59.2 percent shooting from the field this past season. The 6-foot-11 Netherlands native racked up a career-high 14 double-doubles and had two performances of at least 20 rebounds to show his continued development in the paint. He should be a load to deal with alongside Akok Akok in the frontcourt this season.

Bench – Patrick Suemnick (5 mpg)

There won’t be a ton of minutes left at the center spot given Edwards’ experience but Patrick Suemnick should be the first name that’s up next at the backup center role.

He returns after making his debut in the Big 12 with 1.4 ppg and 1.3 rpg across 21 appearances and just 5.4 minutes of action in 2022-23. He’ll look to develop with a ton of talent in the frontcourt around him to compete with.