Markel Starks:
Starks looks to be the focal point of the Hoya offense with the departure of Otto Porter Jr. a year after averaging 12.8 points per game, second only to Porter himself. Starks had an impressive season last year, especially stepping up against tough Big East opponents, posting 17 points in an upset win over Louisville last January and a game-high 19 points in the March demolishing of Syracuse at home. As a senior point guard, Starks will be the clear leader of the team. Starks was also recently selected to the Bob Cousy Award watch list, an award given to the best point guard of the year. The Accokeek, MD native said that while he wants team success first and foremost, he also appreciates the recognition. Overall, look for Starks to take command of the Hoyas this year and for the team to go as he goes.
Nate Lubick:
Nate Lubick did a bit of everything for the Hoyas last year, and he will probably have to do even more after the loss of Porter. Lubick started each game last season and had an impact in almost all statistical categories. He was second on the team in rebounds, fifth in scoring average, second in assists, logged the third-highest number of minutes played, and led the team in field goal percentage, making almost 60 percent of his shots. The Hoyas will need even more from him this year, especially in terms of scoring, which was often lackluster against top opponents. Lubick has emphasized his offseason conditioning, as well as work on his shot and post moves that could elevate his offensive game.
Jabril Trawick:
Trawick was assumed to be a minor role player heading into last season, being overlooked in favor of Porter, Starks and Whittington. However, after losing academic eligibility, Whittington only ended up playing in 13 games. As a result, Trawick ended up starting 20 games, playing fewer minutes than only Porter, Starks, and Lubick. While his stats from last year don’t jump out as impressive, at 5.8 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, and a middling 30 percent from behind the arc, Jabril remains an exciting player. Standing at 6-5, Jabril is a tenacious defender who had the third-most steals on the team last season. However, as his 3 point field goal percentage (.299) shows, his shot still needs some work. Jabril practiced heavily this offseason to be able to grow into a role that will surely expand even more this campaign.
Mikael Hopkins:
Mikael Hopkins is one of the more enigmatic cases on the roster. He started all 32 games last year but logged fewer minutes than the other starters. Hopkins can be painful to watch as he’s frustratingly inconsistent. Listed at 6-9 inches, Hopkins has the ability to be an absolute force on defense as he led the team in blocks last season, while finishing with the fourth-most steals. However, he only averaged 2.9 rebounds and 5.9 points per game. The discouraging thing about Hopkins is that he lead the team with 99 personal fouls last season which no doubt contributed to his diminished playing time.
Mikael’s situation this year will be dramatically changed from previous seasons. With the arrival of Josh Smith, time at the center position will likely be split between Smith and Moses Ayegba, allowing Hopkins to shift down to his more natural position of power forward. Though Lubick will be the starter at the four position, Hopkins will likely play significant minutes off the bench, where he will no longer encounter the size and strength mismatches of years past.
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera:
Smith-Rivera was a four star recruit out of high school, but few would have guessed that his freshman contributions would be as significant as they were. Smith-Rivera was fifth on the team in minutes, despite not getting the start in a single game. He was able to be an impressive sixth man for the Hoyas, providing reliable, timely scoring as a guard. He was the team’s fourth-leading scorer last season with 8.9 points per game and shot 33% from behind the arc. After Whittington’s season ended, Smith-Rivera became the team’s third scoring option. It is clear that the team will rely even more on Smith-Rivera this year with the departure of Porter. The shooting guard will definitely be asked to step up this year to compliment Starks, but he is still young and will hopefully continue to keep learning from teammates. In his sophomore year, Smith-Rivera’s shooting will be one of the Hoyas’ biggest weapons this year and beyond.
Josh Smith:
Josh Smith, a transfer from Ben Howland’s UCLA program, came to the Hilltop last semester, but was not expected to play for the Hoyas until the end of the first semester. However, the NCAA recently granted a waiver for Smith to play the entire season in a seemingly arbitrary decision. Listed at 6-10 and a massive 350 pounds, conditioning is one of the first issues with Smith’s game. In the time that he spent on the court with UCLA he could be incredibly dominant, but he often could not sustain his play for long periods of time. “By no means is he where he should be, but he’s come a long way at the same time, so it’s a work in progress,” Coach Thompson said regarding Smith’s conditioning. How Smith will fit into the rotation remains to be seen. He may be a starter immediately or may come off the bench in spurts to provide support in the low post. Despite the best efforts of Lubick and Hopkins, the Hoyas often struggled to produce points in the post position last season. Smith’s impressive size and talent could provide points in the paint, while also creating more space and driving opportunities for Starks and DSR. Smith will also be a force for the Hoyas on the boards. Assuming Smith can stay disciplined in his conditioning he could bring a new, powerful dimension to the Hoya offense.
Stephen Domingo:
Stephen Domingo was outshined last season by Smith-Rivera’s impressive play, but don’t forget that he was also a four star recruit coming into his freshman season last year. He actually passed on his senior year of high school to join the Hoyas last season, so while he is technically a sophomore, he is as young as most freshmen. Coming in, Domingo was known mostly for his shot, but he occasionally struggled from deep and only averaged just one point per game last season, while playing a meager 5.6 minutes per game. The San Francisco native lacked stout defense and a commanding rebounding presence, so when he struggled to make shots, he found himself on the bench. However, with Otto gone and one year under his belt, Domingo could play a larger role if he finds his aim.
Aaron Bowen:
Bowen, an often forgotten member of the senior class, averaged only seven minutes per game last season, shooting a dismal 21 percent from the field, albeit on only 19 shot attempts. Many Hoya fans will remember him for his clutch acrobatic tip in last season’s contest against Louisville, but there isn’t much beyond Bowen’s athleticism. He is outclassed by many of his teammates who have more well-rounded games. Bowen is the crowd pleaser. He electrified the Verizon Center several times with thunderous dunks. However, he provided little else besides these few highlight reel plays, and although the crowd loves such plays, the coaching staff wants more complete players than video game dunkers. If Bowen can apply his athleticism to the defensive end as well as match it with intelligent cuts and rotations he could become a valuable commodity off the bench for the Hoyas.
Moses Ayegba:
Ayegba played a limited role for the Hoyas last season, averaging 9.4 minutes per game, often filling in for a fouled-out Mikael Hopkins. Ayegba brings a commanding defensive presence to the court with his ability to block and alter shots. But despite his defensive prowess, Moses is relatively limited on the offensive side of the ball. Although he is a senior, an ACL tear caused Ayegba left him on the bench for large parts of his freshman and sophomore years, so he still has room to potentially improve. The addition of Josh Smith figures to place Moses in the background, but his reliability will ensure that he gets crucial minutes to relieve Smith.
Reggie Cameron:
Reggie Cameron, this year’s lone freshman, is the next in a line of lanky Hoya swingmen. At 6-8, Cameron will be competing for time at the wide-open small forward position. Though he is known for his strong three-point shooting, Cameron still has much to learn both defensively and in the lane. Look for the Hackensack, NJ native to play decent minutes off the bench, with a possibly increasing role if he prospers in the early season.
