If we’re being realistic, the California Golden Bears are probably going to struggle on the basketball court next season. Here are the rotation players who will be back for the start of the 2017 season.
- Guard Don Coleman
- Center Kingsley Okoroh
Here are non-rotation players who will probably see time this season.
- Point guard Brandon Chauca
- Power forward Marcus Lee (transfer from last year)
- Forward Roman Davis
- Walk-ons: Cole Welle, Nick Hamilton, Derek King, Koko Kurdoghlian
Here are the players Cal is gaining.
- Shooting guard Juhwan Harris Dyson
- Point guard Deschon Winston
- Forward Justice Sueing
- Shooting guard Austin McCullough
- Trevin Knell will be taking his mission.
That’s...a bit of a hodge podge.
So all hope turns to 2018.
Cal will be losing Lee and Okoroh, but should be returning most of the rest of their squad. They’ll be gaining a legit point guard in Paris Austin. And they have their fair share of impressive prospects they’re going after in 2018.
Who’s the number one target on the board? Power forward Jordan Brown.
Early indications appear to be positive for Brown, even with the coaching change. Cuonzo Martin had developed a solid relationship with Brown, but even with his departure it seems like Wyking Jones will be on good footing to land the top five national prospect.
Here’s what Eric Bossi of Rivals thinks of Cal’s chances with Brown.
California was sitting really well with Jordan Brown before Cuonzo Martin left for Missouri and it may have been on their way towards grabbing an early commitment. If Wyking Jones can make another push, Cal could be in position to get an early commit out of Brown because the gifted power forward just doesn't seem to be caught up in the hype of being recruited and he strikes me as the kind of kid who would be happy to get things out of the way early.