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

By Connor Muldowney

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
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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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 22: Chandler Lawson #13 of the Oregon Ducks leaves the court after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 22: Chandler Lawson #13 of the Oregon Ducks leaves the court after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Chandler Lawson saw his minutes and games started decrease from his freshman to his sophomore season but he still showed he can be a valuable contributor at the forward spot.

The Ducks will have more size next season, but a lot of that will be at center and not forward. Isaac Johnson, N’Faly Dante, Franck Kepnang and Nathan Bittle will all be there to roam the paint at the center spot and while one of those guys could slide over to power forward to really give the Ducks some size down low, I see Lawson taking over the position.

Eugene Omoruyi will be gone, opening up a spot at forward for Lawson and he’s played in enough games to know what it takes to succeed there.

In fact, Lawson has appeared in 59 career games with 20 career starts, averaging 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the floor in his first two years. He’s due for a little breakout season if he averages over 20 minutes per game and improves his offensive game.

Standing 6-foot-8, he’s a decent-sized college power forward despite his slender 205-pound frame. He’ll likely get his shot to start in 2021-22 unless Dana Altman would rather put Kepnang, Bittle or Johnson here.

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