Part of the problem with a starting lineup is matching overall talent with positions, both offensively and defensively, particularly when so much of our top talent is at least 6-3 or can dunk.
Three are no brainers:
Brink
Jones
Jump
I’d argue that the next two have a lot of positional overlap and perhaps the starter will be the one who has improved their all-around game the most in the offseason, particularly vis-a-vis positional versatility, specifically on the perimeter:
Belibi (more seniority)
Iriafen (more upside)
You could probably toss two more into the group above because of a high skills similarity, but I think they are less effective on the interior and offer more of a three-point/perimeter threat on offense — but with issues around defensive quickness on the perimeter:
Demetre
Prechtel
The big question mark for me will be someone who can defend a quick PG and/or an athletic SG — and this is where I think our fifth starter is likely to come from. Emma-Nopu has shown great defensive skills, but her offense has been limited and she does not have the offensive PG skills to be the PG when Jones, for whatever reason, does not fill that role. Someone who has strong PG skills on both sides of the ball is the ideal candidate, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect any of the frosh to fill that role before the second half of the season. For that reason, I see the candidates as:
Nivar
Emma-Nopu
Harriel
Lepolo
Bosgana
Papadaki
Green
If any of the group above can also prove to be a consistent three-point shooter against PAC-12 defenders, then they also move way up the rotation and perhaps into a starting role.
Last and definitely not least is someone who has the potential to start from day one and rewrite much of the Stanford record book: Lauren Betts. I expect her to be at least a spot starter as a frosh and if she develops quickly, someone who we can’t help bit keep on the floor as much as possible. For now I’ll put her in the group with Belibi and Iriafen, but she may turn out to be a one-of-a-kind player. If she proves herself against South Carolina, watch out.
Three are no brainers:
Brink
Jones
Jump
I’d argue that the next two have a lot of positional overlap and perhaps the starter will be the one who has improved their all-around game the most in the offseason, particularly vis-a-vis positional versatility, specifically on the perimeter:
Belibi (more seniority)
Iriafen (more upside)
You could probably toss two more into the group above because of a high skills similarity, but I think they are less effective on the interior and offer more of a three-point/perimeter threat on offense — but with issues around defensive quickness on the perimeter:
Demetre
Prechtel
The big question mark for me will be someone who can defend a quick PG and/or an athletic SG — and this is where I think our fifth starter is likely to come from. Emma-Nopu has shown great defensive skills, but her offense has been limited and she does not have the offensive PG skills to be the PG when Jones, for whatever reason, does not fill that role. Someone who has strong PG skills on both sides of the ball is the ideal candidate, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect any of the frosh to fill that role before the second half of the season. For that reason, I see the candidates as:
Nivar
Emma-Nopu
Harriel
Lepolo
Bosgana
Papadaki
Green
If any of the group above can also prove to be a consistent three-point shooter against PAC-12 defenders, then they also move way up the rotation and perhaps into a starting role.
Last and definitely not least is someone who has the potential to start from day one and rewrite much of the Stanford record book: Lauren Betts. I expect her to be at least a spot starter as a frosh and if she develops quickly, someone who we can’t help bit keep on the floor as much as possible. For now I’ll put her in the group with Belibi and Iriafen, but she may turn out to be a one-of-a-kind player. If she proves herself against South Carolina, watch out.