It’s a new year in Tempe and Arizona State men’s basketball has a lot of roster turnover to overcome if it wants to exceed national expectations this season.
Last season’s team stumbled in the first half, going 6-13 in its first 19 games. Then, after a triple-overtime victory over UCLA to improve to 7-13, the Sun Devils lost their next two.
However, the Sun Devils went 7-1 in their final eight regular season games and even held a double-digit second-half lead over Stanford to open the Pac-12 tournament. While they stumble in the final moments to fall against the Cardinal, they still finished on a relative high note considering they fell short of a postseason tournament.
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This season, there are several new faces in Tempe that add intensity on defense as well as consistency from behind the arc.
There are also several key rotation pieces from last year’s team no longer around. Forward Jalen Graham left for Arkansas, guard Jay Heath left for Georgetown, while forward Kimani Lawrence and guard Marreon Jackson graduated.
Those four each played pivotal roles in the team’s nightly rotation, averaging at least 9.9 points per game apiece. Of players who appeared in a large majority of the team’s games, ASU does not return its second-through-fifth top scorers from a year ago.
With that in mind, let’s get to know the 2022-23 roster before the Sun Devils tip off their 2022-23 season against Tarleton State on Monday at 5 p.m. MST.
Listen to the opener on ESPN 620 AM, 98.7 FM HD-2, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.
ASU basketball’s key returners
Marcus Bagley (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Marcus Bagley | F
A lot of this season’s outlook hinges on the health of Bagley, who has only 15 games under his belt in two seasons at ASU.
So far, he’s averaged 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, shooting 35.3% from three-point territory.
Bagley came to ASU as the No. 31 recruit in the Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI) in 2020, ahead of nine current NBA players. Among the nine NBA players are rival Arizona’s Dalen Terry and Bennedict Mathurin, who were both first-round picks this past summer.
The talent is there for Bagley, and he’s in position to make a significant nightly impact this season, but he’s got to stay on the court after knee issues limited him to three games last season.
D.J. Horne | G
The junior enters his second season with the Sun Devils after an up-and-down first.
Through his first 18 games last year, Horne shot 40% from three-point range and averaged 13.8 points per game. However, that dipped to 29.5% from three and 10.6 points per game in his final 12.
A couple of silver linings from his shooting woes include an uptick in his assists and decrease in turnovers.
The Sun Devils also went 7-5 in his final 12 games, including wins over UCLA, Oregon and Stanford.
Alonzo Gaffney | C
Like Horne, 2021-22 was also Gaffney’s first season with the Sun Devils.
However, unlike Horne, the Sun Devils’ winning ways coincided with positive regression from their big man.
In Gaffney’s first 18 games, he averaged 3.7 points on 16.7% shooting from behind the arc. He also only attempted four free throws, making one of them.
Though his improvement in his final 12 games yielded just 1.2 more points, his efficiency greatly improved. Once a 16.7% three-point shooter, Gaffney shot 52.6% from three over his final 12 games.
For reference, only 11 players in college basketball shot 15 or more threes and made a higher percentage. Only two of those 11 — Tulane’s Tylan Pope and Niagara’s Greg Kuakumensah — were either a forward or center.
While Gaffney’s success was across 12 games, and he shot 30.6% from three overall, his ability to stretch the floor paid major dividends in the team’s turnaround last season. Can he take another step forward?
Key transfers
Desmond Cambridge Jr. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Desmond Cambridge Jr. and Devan Cambridge | G
Desmond Cambridge is a fifth-year senior and joining his third college basketball program.
Most recently, the 6-foot-4 guard played at Nevada for two seasons, where he averaged 16.3 points on 36% shooting from behind the arc.
“[Desmond] is an explosive scorer — can put points on the board. That’s something we struggled with last year so he brings that to the table,” head coach Bobby Hurley told reporters at Pac-12 media day on Oct. 26.
His brother, Devan Cambridge, comes from Auburn, where he started 33 out of 60 games the past two seasons. While he’s not the same caliber scorer as Desmond, Devan’s impact will be felt pretty much everywhere else.
“Devan brings a lot of what Kimani Lawrence brought for us last year,” Hurley said. “A lot of ‘glue guy’ stuff, rebounding, loose balls, good on defense, communicating so he’s a good all-around player.”
Frankie Collins | G
Opportunities to make a major impact were scarce for Collins last season at Michigan.
In 31 games, he played more than 15 minutes six times. However, one of those six games was a March 17 start against Colorado State where he put up 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
In the guard’s six games of 15-plus minutes, he averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
“Frankie Collins has been a real plus,” Hurley told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday. “He’s a point guard that plays both ends of the floor. Probably my best pass-first point guard that I’ve had since I’ve been here.”
Warren Washington | F
Whereas Gaffney is an undersized stretch-five, Washington is a 7-foot, post-up power forward.
Washington comes to the desert by way of Nevada, where he spent two seasons as Desmond Cambridge’s teammate.
Like Cambridge, this is also his third college basketball program, as he broke into the collegiate scene averaging 7.8 minutes in 27 games for Oregon State in 2018-19.
At Nevada, he averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Washington and Gaffney could create some interesting mismatches on offense, allowing Gaffney more room to operate on the perimeter while Washington can make his mark on the post.
“I like how we added some transfers to fill very specific needs,” Hurley told Bickley & Marotta. “Warren Washington, a 7-footer with great length and shot-blocking ability.”
Intriguing non-starter
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, left, is fouled by Arizona State forward Jamiya Neal (55) (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Jamiya Neal | F/G
Neal is one of the best athletes on this ASU roster. He’s fast in the open floor and has an explosive vertical.
While his overall numbers last season may not suggest the kind of player he is capable of, his raw athleticism alone should improve his numbers with an increased role.
He’s a little bit taller, but his ability to cover ground quickly — especially with the ball — and elevate for the dunk is strikingly similar to former Louisville and current Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier.
Should he take a leap in his sophomore season, ASU’s bench unit also becomes intriguing matchup-wise.
X-factor
Bagley’s health
As previously mentioned, Bagley has the tools to be one of the best players in the Pac-12 this year, he just needs to play.
Keeping him healthy is imperative for ASU to find success this season, and return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2018-19.
Having a lot of toolsy guards and forwards should alleviate some of the stress on Bagley. Perhaps even enough to ease him back into logging heavy minutes.
Potential surprise breakout candidate
Enoch Boakye | C
Boakye came to Tempe after de-committing from Michigan State last season. His major issue in 2021-22 was foul trouble (1.9 fouls per game, 6.0 per 40 minutes).
He also entered college basketball a year early and still is incredibly raw, but 247 Sports was very high on him coming out of George Harris Prep in Ontario.
Plus athlete and force around the basket due to sheer size and motor. Could improve his post moves and touch. Has upside as rim protector. Floor is college starter but has easy NBA upside.
(Video) Three things to watch for with Arizona State Sun Devils basketball around the corner
With Gaffney and likely Washington ahead of him, there’s protection for the young center to be aggressive, especially on the defensive side of the court. If he can make a defensive impact without fouling this season, that only raises the ceiling of the Sun Devils’ frontcourt.
FAQs
Has ASU ever won a national championship in basketball? ›
One of the nation's founding programs, the two-time NCAA national champion Sun Devils are in their 45th season on the diamond. ASU has recorded twenty-seven seasons of 30 or more wins and twelve with 40 or more, including an all-time high of 66 wins in 2008.
Is Arizona State University good for basketball? ›The Arizona State Sun Devils have appeared in the NCAA tournament 16 times, including 3 Elite Eights (1961, 1963, 1975). They have won eight conference championships (four WAC, and four Border Conference) and finished in the final AP rankings seven times.
Who is the highest scorer in ASU basketball history? ›Enoch Boakye - Men's Basketball - Arizona State University Athletics.
Who is Arizona State's biggest rival? ›165 national team titles. Dating to the 1959 Women's Golf title, Sun Devil teams have won 165 national championships, including 24 NCAA trophies. The Women's Golf team's eight NCAA trophies rank No. 1 among Division I programs.
Is ASU better than U of A? ›ASU is a much larger school — one of the largest institutions based on student body size — with more than 60,000 undergraduates and around 20,000 graduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1. U of A is somewhat smaller, with more than 35,000 undergraduates and nearly 10,000 graduate students.
Can you drink at ASU basketball games? ›All guests will be required to show valid photo ID indicating legal proof of age when purchasing alcohol in the ASU stadium. Alcohol sales are limited to two (2) drinks per person per transaction. All public alcohol sales will end at the completion of the third quarter. (Suit holders are excluded from this policy.
What is a good GPA for ASU? ›To be admitted to ASU, you will need one of the following:
top 25% in high school graduating class. 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = "A") ACT: 22 (24 nonresidents) SAT: 1120 (1180 nonresidents)
The most popular majors at Arizona State University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Psychology; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Computer and Information ...
What is the best college basketball record ever? ›
1972-73 UCLA Bruins. Went 30-0 and won the NCAA title. Another 25-team tournament, this ending is famous for featuring what many consider to be the best performance in a college basketball game -- ever. It helps that it came in the title game.
Who was number 14 on the Dream Team? ›The collusion and scandal involved trying to keep ASU from covering point spreads in four Pac-10 college basketball games. The players and their accomplices rode the wave until it all came crashing down, resulting in prison sentences.
Who wore number 14 in basketball? ›| Player | Team(s) |
|---|---|
| Danny Green | Cleveland Cavaliers (10) San Antonio Spurs (15, 16, 17, 18) Toronto Raptors (19) Los Angeles Lakers (20) Philadelphia 76ers (21, 22) |
| Gerald Green | New Jersey Nets (12) Phoenix Suns (14, 15) Miami Heat (16) Houston Rockets (18, 19) |
| Luther Green | New York Nets (70, 71) |
The granddaddy of all college football rivalries is the University of Michigan vs. Ohio State University. These two midwestern Big Ten powerhouses have been at it since 1897, with the Wolverines and Buckeyes meeting for "The Game" around Thanksgiving weekend for over a century.
What is the oldest college football rivalry? ›The Yale-Princeton rivalry is the oldest in college football, dating back to 1873. Yale and Princeton dominated the college football scene when this rivalry began, with Yale claiming 13 outright national titles and Princeton claiming eight between 1869 and 1894. The 2018 game was played at Fenway Park.
Who is united biggest rival? ›Liverpool lead in terms of total trophies won, 67 to 66, following their win in the 2022 FA Community Shield. Manchester United lead in the head-to-head record between the two teams, with 83 wins to Liverpool's 70; the remaining 58 matches have finished as draws.
Is ASU a public ivy? ›Over 45,000+ students call this Public Ivy their home. When compared to all universities in the world, University of Arizona consistently stacks up against any Ivy League caliber institution.
Can you drink alcohol in ASU? ›The possession and consumption of alcohol at Arizona State University is prohibited regardless of the age of the student, this includes Vista Del Sol.
Is ASU a respected school? ›ASU is ranked top 20 among U.S. universities for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report, tied with Harvard and ahead of Stanford and Yale. This award recognizes universities demonstrating a strong commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching. Read more.
What is the #1 college in Arizona? ›
1. Arizona State University, Tempe. Arizona State University is one of the largest public universities in the US by enrollment. It is a public research university founded in 1885.
What percentage is an A+ at ASU? ›60.9% of ASU students rated their overall level of stress during the last 12 months as more than average or tremendous.
Can you vape at ASU? ›ASU is a Tobacco-Free Campus
Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco products, including all electronic smoking devices, are prohibited in or on all university owned property, leased property, facilities, grounds, parking structures (including in privately owned vehicles) and university-owned vehicles.
We're committed to the success of our partners (employees). Every eligible U.S. partner working part- or full-time receives 100% tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor's degree through Arizona State University's online program.
Is Arizona State a wet campus? ›ASU's campus is surrounded by bars and other drinking based establishments, despite being a "dry campus."
What GPA do you need for Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
What GPA is dean's list ASU? ›If you complete 12 or more graded credit hours during a semester in residence at ASU with a GPA of 3.50 or higher, you are eligible for the Dean's List. If you complete at least 56 hours of resident credit at ASU and achieve a qualifying GPA, you will graduate with academic recognition.
What grade is ASU failing? ›Students who fail to achieve a semester or cumulative GPA above 2.00 are subject to disqualification from the university. All students who receive an academic warning or are placed on academic probation for at least one semester must successfully complete UNI 220 Mindset Connections as a requirement of graduation.
What is the highest paying degree at ASU? ›The best paying degree at Arizona State University is MBA, with alumni earning an average salary of $123,000. Graduates from Arizona State University who earn the lowest salaries are those with a Bachelor of Arts degree, earning a salary of $51,000 annually.
What are 3 good majors? ›
- Business.
- Social Sciences and History.
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences.
- Communication and Journalism.
- Computer and Information Sciences.
The most popular majors at University of Arizona include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Engineering; Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Social Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support ...
Who is the most winningest college coach? ›The all-time leader in three-point field goals made and attempts is Antoine Davis of Detroit Mercy. In his still-ongoing career that began in 2018, he has made 537 threes in 1,445 attempts.
What college basketball team has the longest winning streak? ›The streak started during the 2020-21 season when Auburn beat Tennessee in February 2021 before finishing out the season with two consecutive home wins. The Tigers have since won 28 consecutive games at Auburn's Neville Arena. Auburns next home game is set for Wednesday, January 25 against Texas A&M.
What is the lowest scoring college basketball game of all time? ›The lowest scoring game in DI men's college basketball history happened Dec. 15, 1973, when Tennessee beat Temple, 11-6.
Who are the blue bloods of college basketball? ›Schools like Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kentucky are the most consensus “blue bloods,” deservedly so as the four programs have the most wins in all Division I basketball.
What university has the best basketball team? ›The Dream Team featured all the greats of the 1990s including Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, John Stockton, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Magic Johnson and many more. One memorable person who wasn't include was Detroit's Isiah Thomas. If you watch the documentary you will learn why he wasn't included.
Who was on the 1st Dream Team? ›Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, three of the greatest players of all time, along with David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Christian Laettner, Clyde Drexler and Chris Mullin formed a squad that was rightfully called 'The Dream Team.
Who is the best Dream Team of all time? ›
#1 Dream Team - Barcelona 1992
The 1992 'Dream Team' that the US sent to the Barcelona Olympics is still mentioned by many as the greatest basketball team ever assembled, and it is hard to argue against it. The team included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Anderson chose not to extend his contract after the Sun Devils finished 5-7 overall in the 2016 season. Graham's buyout is reportedly worth at least $11 million. "Losing records over more than one year in any sport are unacceptable," Arizona State president Michael Crow said before this season began.
Will Arizona basketball be punished? ›Overall, Arizona was fined $5,000, self-imposed a small reduction in basketball scholarships for the 2023-24 season, imposed a two-week ban on campus visits in March of 2022 and reduced the number of official visits in 2021-22 among other minor penalties.
Why was Arizona coach fired? ›Problems with offense, Kyler Murray lead to Arizona coach's dismissal. Kliff Kingsbury's time as the Cardinals head coach has come to an end. The Cardinals announced on Monday that they fired Kingsbury after a 4-13 season.
Who is famous #34 in basketball? ›34: Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers)
Can a player wear a retired jersey number? ›Once a number is retired, no future player from the team may wear that number on their uniform, unless the player so-honored permits it; however, in many cases the number cannot be used at all.
Who is the most famous athlete to wear 14? ›14: Pete Rose, MLB.
How many national championships does Arizona basketball have? ›Arizona's teams have produced 22 National Championships (7 men, 15 women; 19 NCAA, 3 AIAW or USSS).
How many times has Arizona won the NCAA basketball championship? ›They have won three national championships in 1996, 2000, and 2018.
Has an Arizona team ever won a championship? ›Arizona Cardinals, American professional gridiron football team based in Phoenix. The Cardinals are the oldest team in the National Football League (NFL), but they are also one of the least successful franchises in league history, having won just two NFL championships (1925 and 1947) since the team's founding in 1898.
What year did Arizona win the NCAA championship? ›
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Wildcats | 33 | 41 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | 32 | 42 |
Arizona's best player: G Bennedict Mathurin.
Who won the 6A state championship in Arizona? ›Highland Hawks Repeat 6A Title Win Against Pinnacle.
Has Arizona ever made it to Final Four? ›The Wildcats have reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament on four occasions (1988, 1994, 1997, and 2001). They have also made two appearances in the National Championship (won over Kentucky Wildcats in 1997, lost to Duke Blue Devils in 2001).
Who has won the most college championship games? ›Since college football's inception, Yale has gained the most national titles (18). However, within the AP Poll Era, Alabama is considered the top winner with 13 titles. Alabama has won just under half of the last 13 national titles, winning in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020.
Did Arizona State make the 2022 NCAA tournament? ›Arizona State will miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year as the Sun Devils finished the 2021-22 season 14-17. The team finished eighth in the Pac-12 with a 10-10 record in conference, improving on last season's 7-10 record.
Has any city won all 3 major championships in the same year? ›...
Multiple championships in a calendar year.
| City or metro area | Number of times winning multiple championships in one calendar year |
|---|---|
| Greater Los Angeles | 3 |
| Detroit | 2 |
- There are six MLB teams that have never won a World Series.
- The Rangers, Padres, Brewers, Mariners, Rockies, and Rays have never won.
New York and Los Angeles are the only two metropolitan areas with two or more teams in all four major sports. New York has MLB's Yankees and Mets, the NBA's Knicks and Nets, the NFL's Giants and Jets, and the NHL's Rangers, Islanders, and Devils.
How many times has Arizona been a 1 seed? ›Of Arizona's now 36 all-time NCAA Tournament bids, seven have come as a No. 1 seed (1988, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2014).
What seed was Arizona when they won? ›
Arizona was named the NCAA Tournament's No. 2 overall team and placed as the No. 1 seed in the South Region, with an opening game on Friday in San Diego.
How many championships does Arizona State have? ›Arizona State has won 17 conference championships, seven in the Border Conference, seven in the Western Athletic Conference, and three in the Pac-12 Conference.