Penn State Basketball’s projected starting lineup in 2022-2023
By Evan Smith
Penn State Basketball’s backcourt
Point Guard
While incoming recruit Kanye Clary is listed as a point guard and it is easier to start as a freshman in the backcourt than the frontcourt, this position will almost certainly go to returning fifth-year player Jalen Pickett.
The conference’s ‘leader in dribbles’, Pickett started every game for Penn State Basketball a year ago, and averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on 42% shooting from the field and 32.0% from three.
The 2021-2022 Shrewsberry offense was designed to be as slow as possible and no one was better and getting up an end-of-shot-clock fadeaway than Pickett. With Sessoms transferring away, Jalen Pickett will be the starting point guard. VBR Confidence Percentage: 99%
Shooting Guard
Jameel Brown will see time here no doubt.
The heralded recruit that Shrewsberry flipped from Purdue is going to see the floor.
But, if he stays with the program, this is Dallion Johnson’s spot to lose. Despite having to play behind slumping Jaheam Cornwall for far too long, Johnson started games for the second half of the season and won the Northwestern game for the Nittany Lions with his five three-pointers.
Johnson has strides to make defensively and missed out on key developmental minutes last year behind Cornwall, but it’s unlikely even Brown will be able to usurp the opening day starting position from Johnson. VBR Confidence Percentage: 75%
Bench
The main bench players will be incoming freshman Brown and Clary. It’s unlikely anyone else will see relevant minutes (Andy Christos, Dan Conlan, Ishaan Jagaisi and Irekefe Oweh)
