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ASU Basketball: A Look at Next Season’s Men’s Frontcourt

By Sam Ficarro

Feb 8, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; California Golden Bears guard Sam Singer (2) drives against Arizona State Sun Devils forward Ramon Vila (33) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Golden Bears won 68-43. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; California Golden Bears guard Sam Singer (2) drives against Arizona State Sun Devils forward Ramon Vila (33) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Golden Bears won 68-43. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU basketball will look to get more production from the frontcourt next season with the additions of transfers and incoming freshmen.

ASU basketball relied heavily on its scorers and 3-point shooters to carry the team as Arizona State didn’t have much of a paint presence.

Teams would pound the paint against ASU due to their lack of size as most nights 6’8″ Obinna Oleka was the tallest player on the court for the Sun Devils.

With Oleka graduating and the uncertain future of center Jethro Tshisumpa, who will step up and emerge in Arizona State’s frontcourt next season?

Of those returning, center Ramon Vila is the only one who played minutes last season and could step into the starting lineup next

season.

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Vila played in 33 games and starting in four of those games averaging 2.7 points per game and and 1.7 rebounds per game.

Arizona State could be relying on players coming into the team.

Two players to keep an eye on is forwards Romello White and Kimani Lawrence.

White was ruled ineligible last season and will look to make an instant impact this upcoming season.

According to ESPN.com, White is a “mobile and athletic high major power forward that can finish and rebound.” That’s something ASU could have used this season being one of the worst teams in the Pac-12 in rebounding.

Arizona State also had no post presence in the paint and White can help suck in defenders in the paint and open up shots for the 3-point shooters like guards Tra Holder, Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice.

Lawrence is an incoming freshman that has the team buzzing of what he can bring to the table.

Ranked No. 54 in ESPN Top 100, Lawrence is a “big wing who has found success as a transition player, spot-up shooter and straight line slasher.”

White and Lawrence can add ASU that size and physicality that has been lacking under Hurley.

Other forwards who could make an impact is Ohio State transfer Mickey Mitchell, who will be eligible in December, Vitaliy Shibel, who was redshirted last season, and junior college transfer De’Quon Lake.

Next: ASU Basketball: Devils Add Two Transfers to Men's Team

The frontcourt will be inexperienced heading into next season, but if they can provide some production, that should allow Hurley to implement his system and make the Sun Devils a more balanced team.

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