Louisville basketball: Projected 2020-21 starting lineup 1.0

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LOUISVILLE, KY – FEBRUARY 05: Louisville Cardinals players react from the bench during a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at KFC YUM! Center on February 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Wake Forest 86-76. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Jae’Lyn Withers – Combo forward (Rs. fr)

2019-20 stats: Did not play in 2019

This is probably the biggest toss-up right now among returnees.

Withers is a versatile 6’9” wing who will bring a ton for the Cards next season.

It’s easy to pencil in Quinn Slazinski, who could very well win the starting job for the Cards, but it feels like Withers is a star in the making who will greatly benefit from a redshirt season.

Withers can shoot the rock, but he can also use his length and explosiveness to his advantage as a driver, with his back to the basket, or at the rim.

Withers’ fit is an interesting one. He isn’t quite Nwora in regards to shooting and playmaking, but he has that type of ceiling.

If there’s a guy primed for a breakout season, it has to be Withers.

We obviously haven’t seen what he can do on the college level, but his ability to keep defenses honest with the outside shot will be one thing to watch. If he makes consistently from deep, he will be a major threat during his redshirt junior season.

Additionally, the length of Withers with Williams on the floor at the same time will be fascinating. Two seven foot-plus wingspans on the backline of a defense is a tough task for any college squad.

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