Its very early to predict which players are going to receive the most minutes, but we know that Shaka likes to use his whole bench if he can. This team has seven players that have not played on the team(4 freshmen/1 transfer/2 redshirt freshmen). The roster this year though is defiantly deep and talented so expect players to be fighting for minutes for the course of the season.
PG: Briante Weber-Briante Weber will come into the season probably as the starting point guard. He will defiantly have to grow into the position being more of a floor general than just a HAVOC creator. Weber was defensive player of the year in the A10 and top 5 in steals in the country. He will have be careful about not fouling to much because now that he is the starter. He defiantly is skilled enough to take the reins from Darius Theus. His athleticism and unselfishness should propel him to be one the great point guards VCU has had.
Jequan Lewis-Highly touted freshman Jequan Lewis is from Tennessee. He comes into the rams being a 4 star recruit and on the cusp of being a Top 100 player on ESPN rankings. People out of VCU and other people outside of VCU praise the young guard for his all around ability to carry a team. His speed and outside shot make him a threat all over the court. Look for Jequan to play good quality minutes and giving Briante a good rest on the sideline. He will defiantly have freshmen mistakes but expect Shaka to try to get him up to speed as soon as he can since Lewis is the point guard of the future for VCU.
Torey Burston-Last years late addition to the squad was 5'9 point guard from Trinity Episcopal Torey Burston. Torey walked on to the team and he is recognized for his great on ball defense coming out of high school. Expect to see Torey in situations where the game is out of reach.
SG: Rob Brandenberg-Senior shooting guard Rob Brandeberg will defiantly be a leader of this season's locker room. From day one Rob has been a key part of the team. His freshman year he played in 39 of the rams 40 games. He also had a key block in the Rams Sweet Sixteen matchup with Florida State where he blocked Chris Singletons attempted buzzer beater which helped the rams move on to the Final Four. Now as a senior brandenberg will asked to be a key contributor on both the defensive and offensive side. He will have to pick up the slack with 3 point specialist Troy Daniels graduating this year. Expect another solid year from Rob as he tries to solidify his place in VCU history as one of the best players to come through the school.
Melvin Johnson-Melvin "The Microwave" Johnson was a late addition to the team last year when he decomitted from Miami and chose to sign with VCU. Melvin coming out of high school was a 4 star recruit and an ESPN Top 100 player. Melvin brought instant offense off the bench becoming one the rams most consistent offensive threats on the team. Melvin became a crowd favorite for his Eric Maynor signature floater he has which he calls The Melvin. With so much skill offensively expect to see Melvin competing with Rob on playing time next year.
Douglas Brooks-Freshman Douglas Brooks from Lake Wales Florida is known for his great pressure on the ball and his 3 pointer. Brooks is expected to come in and give Melvin and Rob a breather. When he is on the court he wreaks Havoc and gives you 110 percent when he is on the court. Expect Brooks to play the second most out of true freshman next year.
Jarius Lyles-Jarius Lyles comes from high school powerhouse Dematha. Lyles is athletic undersized 2 guard with exceptional 3 point range and good ball handling. Lyles needs to put on more weight before he can make an impact at the college basketball level. Lyles has god upside but will defiantly needs one year of college basketball before he can make an impact for the rams.
SF: Treveon Graham-Leading scorer Treveon Graham returns for his junior season. Graham averaged 15.7 points and 6 rebounds as a sophomore and made 2nd team all A10. Expect Graham's numbers to increase with the addition of Florida State transfer Terrance Shannon. Shannon will allow Graham to move to his normal position which is small forward and not having to play the power forward position and being undersized. Graham has a tremendous offensive skill set which compares to Temple great Khalif Wyatt. If he keeps up his progression he could end up as the rams all time leading scorer surpassing the great Eric Maynor.
Jordan Burgess-Jordan Burgess had to sit out last season because of transcript issues. Jordan came into the team as a 4 star recruit and also an ESPN Top 100 player. During the time Jordan had to sit out he focused on getting stronger and understanding how to play under coach Smart's system. Jordan is brothers with VCU great Bradford Burgess who started every single game of his career. Don't expect Jordan to do that but expect Jordan to compete for starter minutes either at the SF or SG position next year. Coach Smart raves about Jordan's toughness saying he is the toughest player on the team. That is high praise for just a freshman. Jordan is a good defender, a slasher, and also has a 3 point shot. Expect Jordan to play key minutes for the Rams.
PF: Juvonte Reddic-Juvonte Reddic returns for his senior season after a successful junior season. He made 2nd team A10 and averaged 14.4 points and 8.3 rebounds last season. Reddic is the most talented player on the team with potential to get drafted into the NBA next season. Reddic possesses great athleticism for a 6'9 power forward. He also has a great post game being able to finish with both the left and right hand. Reddic will get the bulk of the looks in the post on the offensive side. He will now have more help next season though with transfer Terrance Shannon coming in and providing help on the low block. Reddic is getting much preseason hype for having a breakout year this season. Reddic should have a great senior season and have many NBA teams looking at him throughout the season.
Jared Guest-Jared Guest comes into his junior season with much more experience and strength to bang with D1 college basketball players. Guest is a finesse player who has good touch from inside and outside the paint. Coach Smart said Guest was one of the best practice players last season. He said he was the best rebounder in practice last season also. Expect Guest to be a better role player next season and providing more on the offensive side.
Mo Alie Cox-Mo Alie Cox came in last season being suspended also for academic reasons by the NCAA. Being forced to sit out last season Mo got even bigger and stronger. Mo is praised for his great leaping ability and strength for just being a 6'6 power forward. Mo is great for coach Smart's system because of his rare athleticism for his size. Mo will play mostly the power forward position but could get some time at the small forward position.
C: Terrance Shannon-Terrance Shannon comes onto the team as 5th year senior from Florida State. Terrance is 6'8 and has a high motor on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Terrance averaged the most steals on his team last year with 1.2 steals per game which most have Shaka Smart very excited. Terrance will let the rams now play big and not small ball like last year. This addition to the team can be the missing piece that last years team needed to beat teams like St. Louis, Duke, and Michigan. Expect to see Terrance starting at the center position this season.
Antravious Simmons-Antravious Simmons comes from South Miami Florida. Simmons is 6'8 240 pound big man with a soft touch on the ball. Simmons is said to have good foot work and is a good rebounder. Simmons was recruited and offered by many high major schools. Simmons will defiantly have to lose some of his weight so he can run up and down the floor and playing Shaka's Havoc style of basketball. Expect to slowly see Simmons late in the season because it will take some time for the big man to learn how to play against D1 big men.
