Oregon Basketball: Way-too-early starting 5 projections for 2021-22

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Will Richardson (right) and forward Eric Williams Jr. (50) react after a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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OMAHA, NE – DECEMBER 04: Eric Williams Jr. #50 of the Oregon Ducks takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the Seton Hall Pirates on December 4, 2020 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Eric Williams Jr. joined Eugene Omoruyi and LG Figueroa as the other first-year transfers in the starting lineup last season and if you add in Chris Duarte, four of the five starters for the Ducks in 2020-21 were former transfers (Duarte was there in 2019-20 as well).

The former Duquesne forward averaged at least 14 points per game in his first two collegiate seasons before transferring to Oregon and then he put up 10 points per game last year along with 6.0 rebounds. He was a legit first-year player for the Ducks and adjusted nicely to his new team, complementing the rest of the lineup.

Williams Jr. should be back in 2021-22 and figures to be a starter yet again. He struggled in the tournament, but he was a steady contributor all year long.

The junior forward forced a lot of shots and that led to him shooting under 40 percent from the floor so that would be the one area he needs to improve for next year. He also shot just under 35 percent from the floor.

Oregon will benefit from having leaders like him and Will Richardson back in that starting five.

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