ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 1 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
4. Arizona State Sun Devils
After missing the NCAA Tournament in Bobby Hurley’s first two seasons as head coach, ASU made a giant leap in 2017-18.
The Sun Devils’ early success was one of the biggest storylines in the first two months of the season, starting 12-0 with wins over Kansas, Xavier and Kansas State. Despite posting a losing record in conference play, ASU made its first tournament appearance since 2014.
This year, the Sun Devils must replace the production of Tra Holder, Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice, but have the personnel to do so with a slew of impressive newcomers.
Cleveland State transfer Rob Edwards is one guard expected to make an immediate impact. Edwards was a key player for the Vikings, averaging 16.5 points per game his sophomore season.
ASU also picked up a commitment from four-star wing Luguentz Dort, the No. 30 player in the class according to 247Sports. Originally from Canada, Dort is one of several international players on the roster, and he’s expected to one of the team’s best perimeter defenders.
Remy Martin is the lone returner to this year’s backcourt expected to make a significant impact. Off the bench, Martin provided a much-needed spark at times last year, and he was one of the Sun Devils’ best defenders.
In the frontcourt, ASU returns two of its most physical players in Romello White and De’Quon Lake, plus Mickey Mitchell and Vitaliy Shibel off the bench. White, Lake and Mitchell were first, second and third on the team in rebounding last year, Lake averaged a team-high 1.3 blocks per game.
This year, the frontcourt adds San Diego State transfer Zylan Cheatham and two highly-ranked prospects in Uros Plavsic and Taeshon Cherry.
Cheatham is among the most athletic players in the Pac-12, standing 6-foot-8 with a 42-inch vertical jump. In ASU’s scrimmage against Arizona Christian, Cheatham’s athleticism and ball-handling skills stood out.
A redshirt senior, Cheatham is expected to be a leader on this team. Look for him to be a mentor to younger forwards such as Cherry and Plavsic.
– Field