Yesterday was a day to remember for Auburn basketball. First, the Tigers were able to retain Allen Flanigan, who announced he was returning for his junior season instead of taking a chance in the NBA Draft. Then, Arkansas transfer Desi Sills announced that he’d be making his way to the Plains this fall as well.
Combine these announcements with the transfer portal wins of Walker Kessler, Wendell Green Jr., and Zep Jasper, and you have one hell of an offseason for Bruce Pearl and co. after a down-year in 2020-21.
The Jungle has grown accustomed to winning basketball, having reached the Final Four in 2019 and bringing momentum to the 2020 SEC Tournament before it was canceled altogether when the world stood still last March.
This past season was trying for so many reasons, including the economic hit the school and surrounding businesses took from the lack of big crowds at the Auburn Arena. 2021-22 promises to bring more light in the wake of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic not only due to the return of fans, but also because of a vastly improved on-court product.
Pearl is losing several studs to the NBA–including starting point guard Sharife Cooper and fellow 5-star recruit JT Thor (who does have the option of returning if he isn’t drafted/signed)–but he is bringing in an experienced group that brings plenty of achievement and talent to the Plains in an all-important comeback year for the program.
With all of this excitement and momentum in mind, let’s project what the starting five and second unit might look like for Auburn basketball:
Auburn basketball starting point guard: Wendell Green Jr.
While Eastern Kentucky fell short in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament this past March–one that was won by eventual play-in game loser Morehead State–Wendell Green Jr. was not and will not be the scapegoat.
He was electric in the Colonels’ season finale, scoring 29 points, dishing out four assists and collecting three rebounds.
For the year, he collected 15.8 points, five assists, and 3.8 rebounds. While he is no Sharife Cooper, the tradeoff for less big plays is also less turnovers.
Auburn basketball starting shooting guard: Desi Sills
Desi Sills was one of the cogs in the Arkansas Razorbacks machine that fell short in the Elite Eight to Baylor but also ended Oral Roberts’ Cinderella Run.
Sills was no star on the Hogs, often deferring to NBA hopeful Moses Moody, but his ability to create havoc defensively and run the floor in transition make him a solid addition to a starting five that lost its way at the 2 after Justin Powell went down in 2021.
Auburn basketball starting small forward: Allen Flanigan
Allen Flanigan’s return makes him one of the more tenured upperclassmen on the Tigers. His 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and three assists gave him one of the more balanced stat lines, but his efficiency didn’t scream “NBA-ready”.
2021-22 could be his time to establish that he is, and that he could be an Isaac Okoro-esque prospect, even if his ceiling is a bit lower than the 2020 #5 pick.
Auburn basketball starting power forward: Jabari Smith
Jabari Smith is perhaps the most exciting big man prospect Auburn has had since Charles Barkley himself.
As one of the crown jewels in Pearl’s recruiting takeover of the Peach State, the Tyrone, GA native could be the featured option as soon as year one.
Auburn basketball starting center: Walker Kessler
UNC underperformed in 2020-21, and perhaps Walker Kessler has a case that he should have been unleashed off the pine sooner.
The 5-star from (you guessed it) Georgia comes to the Plains ready to play as the team’s new starting center with Thor departing for the NBA…and even if he returns.
Auburn basketball key backcourt reserve: Zep Jasper
From the College of Charleston, Zep Jasper will be a key defensive stopper for Bruce Pearl’s second unit as a change of pace energy guard.
Jasper can do a little bit of everything on the floor, and could get some reps as a floor general for the Tigers in 2021-22.
Auburn basketball key backcourt reserve: Devan Cambridge
Just as he did in his freshman year, Devan Cambridge will also serve as a sparkplug reserve in the Auburn backcourt.
His high-flying put-back dunks and transition slams will form a springy pairing with Jasper for the bench mob.
Auburn basketball key frontcourt reserve: Jaylin Williams
Jaylin Williams had several very strong showings in 2020-21 (Ole Miss, Baylor and South Carolina stand out), but had trouble battling on the glass with the very best frontcourts in the SEC (Tennessee and Florida stand out).
That said, his 3-point shooting is close to being a consistent weapon for Pearl, and Williams’ physicality makes him a strong candidate for either frontcourt spot as a pliable substitute.
Auburn basketball key frontcourt reserve: Dylan Cardwell
Dylan Cardwell is a 5 through and through, and could be deployed as the primary rim protector when Walker Kessler is in foul trouble next season.
If Cardwell can build on the 3-pointer he nailed to ignite the Auburn Arena in the team’s finale, Pearl could have a lineup that could stretch the floor from top to bottom.