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A Way-Too-Early Look At The Boise State Broncos
Seniors back or not, this Boise State team will be stacked come fall.
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Derrick Alston Jr. headlines a talented Bronco Roster in 2020-2021.
Players have already accepted reality and have begun taking the next step in their careers as of Friday. For some that is beginning NBA draft preparations a little earlier than expected, for others it is finishing their remaining course loads online to better gear up for next semester. Though the last group of players it is looking for their next opportunity and entering the transfer portal.
After sporting leagues around the globe either canceled or postponed their seasons in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA followed suit by outright canceling scheduled spring sports but rewarding seniors another year of eligibility to return and compete next season. This was a swift and just decision in a time of uncertainty for a lot of student athletes, but there was still a group left in with uncertainty.
Winter sport athletes have currently been left with hope, given a ruling from the NCAA that would grant them any sort of extra eligibility given their abrupt cancellation of the big dance. So in the spirit of pure fun we will take a look at Mountain West team’s rosters for next season. Taking a look at both scenarios, just in case the NCAA surprises us.
2020-2021 Roster: In the event seniors are granted further eligibility
G Justinian Jessup GR 6-7 202 Longmont, CO-Longmont HS
F RJ Williams GR 6-7 215 Los Angeles, CA Price HS/East L.A. College
G Marcus Dickinson GR 6-1 183 Norman, OK-North Norman HS
G Alex Hobbs GR 6-4 188 La Porte, TX-La Porte HS
C Robin Jorch GR 6-11 245 Berlin, Germ.-International Berlin Basketball Acad.
G Derrick Alston Jr. R-Sr. 6-9 188 Houston, TX-Strake Jesuit HS
G/F Abu Kigab Sr. 6-6 211 St. Catharines, ON-Prolific Prep
G Marcus Shaver Jr. R-Jr. 6-1 185 Phoenix, AZ-Shadow Mountain HS
G Emmanuel Akot R-Jr. 6-8 203 Winnipeg, MB-Wasatch Academy (UT)
G Chase Berry R-Jr. 6-6 220 Lehi, UT-Skyridge HS/Utah State Eastern
F Mladen Armus R-Jr. 6-10 230 Belgrade, Serbia-SW Christian Academy
F Naje Smith Jr. 6-7 200 Spokane, WA-Lewis & Clark HS/Cochise College (AZ)
G Devonaire Doutrive R-So. 6-5 185 Dallas, TX-Birmingham HS (CA)/Arizona
F Riley Abercrombie R-So. 6-9 210 Wollongong, Australia-Clear Lake HS (TX)
G Max Rice R-So. 6-5 189 Boise, ID-Bishop Kelly HS
G RayJ Dennis So. 6-2 177 Oswego, IL-Oswego East HS
G Kasean Pryor Fr. 6-9 179 Branson, MO-Link Year Prep
C Burke Smith Fr. 6-11 215 Glen Allen, VA-Trinity Episcopal School
| Point Guard | Shooting Guard | Small Forward | Power Forward | Center |
| Marcus Shaver R-Jr. | Derrick Alston Jr. R-Sr. | Justinian Jessup GR | RJ Williams GR | Mladen Armus R-Jr. |
| Rayj Dennis So. | Alex Hobbs GR
|
Naje Smith Jr. | Emmanuel Akot R-Jr. | Robin Jorch GR |
| Marcus Derrickson GR | Devonaire Doutrive R-So.* | Chase Berry Sr. | Riley Abercrombie R-So. | Burke Smith GR |
| Max Rice R-So. | Donovan Ivory R-So. | Kasean Pryor Fr. |
Things of Note:
- This version of the roster has 18 players on it (two walk-ons)
- Who knows what kind of rules or regulations would come with this decision but I could imagine every player new to the roster redshirting because of a lack of minutes to go around.
I couldn’t imagine everyone returning from this year’s squad if they are afforded the opportunity to do so. Just looking at that depth chart above the Bronco’s have a second string of players that would be competitive with most teams in the Mountain West and maybe win championships in some smaller conference’s around the country.
If they were awarded extra eligibility I could imagine we would see several transfers out of the program as there is just not enough playing time to go around. Also throw in some redshirt years from some guys who would only benefit from playing around RJ Williams or Justinian Jessup for another year in practice. If no one left, this would be a tournament team no question, with the only question being how many other Mountain West teams would join them.
But in the event that the NCAA rules against awarding additional eligibility for winter sport athletes, which still seems like a possibility given how long it has taken to hear any news regarding the matter. Here is a list followed by a depth chart of the Boise State roster given their current recruiting class and who we know has entered the transfer portal.
Next: Roster and Depth Chart