ACC Power Rankings: Post NBA Draft Decision Deadline
By Jacob Lane
Now that the NBA’s deadline to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft or return back to college has passed, we take a look at how the decisions as well as the player movement this summer will effect the lay out of the ACC, and the Louisville basketball program.
Related Story: Louisville Basketball Recruiting Roundup
The ACC will once again be one of the, if not the, toughest conferences in the entire country come 2018-19. Yes, Duke looses it’s starting five (again) and North Carolina will have to replace Joel Berry II, but let’s not forget both schools bring in top five recruiting classes, and programs like Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Syracuse get just about everyone back and are ready to compete.
There will be so many fresh story lines to follow, including how Louisville fares with their new head coach Chris Mack. The Cards have been under the direction of Rick Pitino for quite some time, and have played extremely well in the ACC, so can Mack and his new staff build off that? Louisville will have to replace a lot of talent and scoring, but will return several key contributors from last year’s team, who should be ready to take on bigger roles, and excel in them.
Just like Louisville, Pittsburgh will be bringing in a new coach in former Duke Assistant Coach, Jeff Capel. As a Dukie, Capel was phenomenal on the recruiting trail, and played a big part in bringing in the school’s best class of all time. He’s already nabbed two big recruits this fall, but with a lot of talent leaving after Kevin Stallings was fired, he will have his hands full this season.
Let’s take a look at how the decisions of guys like Luke Maye, Ky Bowman, and Tyus Battle to return to school will affect the league power rankings. Along with teams having to replace star players like Marvin Bagley III, Joel Berry II, Jerome Robinson, Doral Moore, Deng Adel, Ray Spalding, and many of others this season.
Departing: Marvin Bagley III, Grayson Allen, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Trevon Duval
Notable Returnees: Marques Bolden, Javin DeLaurier
Incoming: Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, RJ Barrett, Tre Jones, Joey Baker
Departing: Devon Hall, Isaiah Wilkins, Nigel Johnson
Notable Returnees: Kyle Guy, DeAndre Hunter, Ty Jerome
Incoming: Kihei Clark, Kody Stattmann, Francisco Caffaro
Departing: Joel Berry II, Theo Pinson
Notable Returnees: Luke Maye, Cameron Johnson, Kenny Williams, Sterling Manley
Incoming: Nassir Little, Coby White, Rechon Black
Departing: Justin Bibbs
Notable Returnees: Ahmed Hill, Chris Clarke, Kerry Blackshear, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Justin Robinson
Incoming: Landers Nolley, Jarren McAllister, Jon Kabongo
Departing: Matthew Moyer
Notable Returnees: Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett, Marek Dolezaj
Incoming: Elijah Hughes, Jalen Carey, Robert Braswell, Buddy Boeheim
Departing: Ray Spalding, Deng Adel, Quentin Snider, Anas Mahmoud, Lance Thomas
Notable Returnees: VJ King, Jordan Nwora, Darius Perry, Malik Williams, Dwayne Sutton
Incoming: Steven Enoch, Christen Cunningham, Akoy Agau
Departing: Gabe DeVoe, Donte Grantham, Mark Donnal
Notable Returnees: Shelton Mitchell, Marcquise Reed, Elijah Thomas
Incoming: John Newman, Hunter Tyson, Trey Jemison, Javan White
Departing: Phil Cofer, Braian Angola, Ikey Obiagu, CJ Walker
Key Returnees: Terance Mann, Trent Forrest, MJ Walker, Mfindou Kabengele, PJ Savoy
Departing: Omer Yurtseven, Allerik Freeman, Abdul Malik-Abu, Lavar Batts Jr.
Notable Returnees: Torin Dorn, Braxton Beverly, Markell Johnson
Incoming: Immanuel Bates, Ian Steere, Jericole Hellems, Derek Funderburk, C.J. Bryce, Devon Daniels, Eric Lockett, Wyatt Walker, Blake Harris (Spring semester)
Departing: Matt Farrell, Bonzie Colson, Martinas Geben
Notable Returnees: Temple Gibbs, DJ Harvey, Rex Plfueger, John Mooney
Incoming: Nate Laszewski, Dane Goodwin, Robby Carmody, Prentiss Hubb, Chris Doherty, Juwan Durham
Departing: Lonnie Walker IV, Bruce Brown Jr. JaQuan Newton
Key Returnees: Dewan Huell, Chris Lykes, Dejan Vasiljevic
Incoming: Miles Wilson, Deng Gak, Zach Johnson
Departing: Jerome Robinson
Key Returnees: Ky Bowman, Jordan Chatman, Nik Popovic
Incoming: Jairus Hamilton, Wynston Tabbas, Jared Hamilton
Departing: Parker Stewart, Marcus Carr, Kenechukwu Chukwuka, Ryan Luther
Key Returnees: Jared Wilson-Frame, Shamiel Stevenson
Incoming: Trey McGowens, Xavier Johnson, Malik Ellison, Sidy N’Diir
Departing: Bryant Crawford, Doral Moore, Keyshawn Woods, Mitchell Wilbekin
Key Returnees: Chaundee Brown, Brandon Childress, Sunday Okeke
Incoming: Jaylen Hoard, Isaiah Mucius, Jamie Lewis, Sharone Wright, Christian Long, Tory Johnson, Ikenna Smart
Departing: Josh Okogie, Ben Lammers, Tadric Jackson
Key Returnees, Jose Alvarado
Incoming: Shembari Phillips, Mike Devoe, Khalid Moore, Kristian Sjolund