Cal Basketball: 2020-2021 Roster Reset

And just like that, the 2020-2021 Cal men’s hoops roster is set. Head coach Mark Fox got his final pledge today (May 21) from Stony Brook graduate transfer combo guard Makale Foreman, filling the final available scholarship available. 

First, let’s recap this off-season’s roster changes.

• March 3: Jacobi Gordon announces plans to transfer.
• April 16: Juhwan Harris-Dyson enters the transfer portal.
• April 17: Penn grad transfer Ryan Betley announces transfer to Cal.
• April 25: Fresno State combo guard Jarred Hyder announces transfer to Cal.
• May 21: Stony Brook grad transfer Makale Foreman announces transfer to Cal.

And here’s an updated roster.

First, credit goes to Fox for plugging in the holes in the roster from the departures of Paris Austin, Kareem South, and Juhwan Harris-Dyson. Foreman is almost literally the same size as South and brings a similar game. Ryan Betley has a different style than Harris-Dyson but plays at the same wing position. And Jarred Hyder will be a solid combo guard that can play point after sitting out this year.

Let’s take a look at the roster breakdown by position. Point guard was a big-time need for this roster as Joel Brown is the only returning primary ball-handler. And while Foreman was the primary point guard at Stony Brook, there is still a bit of concern at the lead guard position. Brown had a solid 18.4 assist rate last season but also only averaged 1.8 assists per game, which was second on the team behind Austin’s 2.5. Foreman averaged an assist rate of 12.6 and 1.9 assists per game last season at Stony Brook. He also wasn’t the leading passer at Stony Brook despite playing the lead guard position.

But Foreman still has the ability to take some of the load off Brown in bringing the ball up the court. He also is a proven scorer, averaging 15.6 points last season while shooting 36% from long-range. Having Hyder available next season doesn’t seem likely as it looks like the NCAA will not be granting first-time transfer waivers. But he’ll be a solid contributor the following season once Foreman exhausts his eligibility at the end of this season.

At the combo guard position, the addition of Betley gives Fox the option of starting Bradley at the two-position. Foreman and Betley can also be played at the two.

And at the wing, Betley should be able to come in and immediately start. Last year Bradley was the primary player at the wing position but Fox has mentioned in the off-season wanting to move him back to the two-position. The combo of having Betley, who is 6-5 and a career 38.2% three-point shooter and Bradley, who is 6-4 and shot 38.4% from three last season can really open up the floor for the Bears. It will spread defenses and hopefully open up driving lanes for Foreman and Brown. And if you throw Grant Anticevich in there at the small forward (four-position) who shot 36.6% from three last season, that’s a potentially potent lineup that could give opposing defenses some fits.

Before moving to the forward positions, Cal also has 6-6 wings in Monty Bowser and Jalen Celestine coming in next season as true freshmen. Both seem raw and not requiring them to contribute early will be helpful for their development. Any contributions they can give — especially as “three and D” guys — would be a bonus.

And at the forward positions, the Bears have Anticevich and Kelly that offer some solid experience. Sophomores Kuany Kuany, D.J. Thorpe, and Lars Thiemann are also solid contributors. While the additions in the backcourt were essential for Cal’s success next year, the development of the sophomore frontcourt players might be even more important to Cal’s potential.

So there it is. Barring any unexpected changes, Cal’s roster is set for next season. And there are some intriguing pieces. We’ll start breaking down incoming and returning players next week.