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Oregon Basketball: Projected starting 5 after Chandler Lawson transfer

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 22: Franck Kepnang #22 of the Oregon Ducks reacts to a score against 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 22: Franck Kepnang #22 of the Oregon Ducks reacts to a score against 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Oregon Ducks forward Eric Williams Jr. (50) goes up for a shot over USC Trojans guard Drew Peterson (13) during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports
Oregon Ducks forward Eric Williams Jr. (50) goes up for a shot over USC Trojans guard Drew Peterson (13) during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /

Back for one more season, Duquesne-transfer Eric Williams Jr. will be a leader in the starting five alongside Will Richardson. Being that senior presence will help younger guys like Jalen Terry and maybe a starter or two in the post.

With a bigger roster (height-wise) in 2021-22, Williams Jr. could also afford to go back to a small forward or wing position where he could excel with his 6-foot-6 frame. He can still play power forward if the Ducks go small as he has plenty of experience with that, but it would serve them better if he wasn’t the main post option.

Williams Jr. had a solid first season with the Ducks in 2020-21, averaging 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He also shot just 39 percent from the field and 35 percent from deep.

Those aren’t the shooting numbers you want from one of your post players. He should be forcing less shots and maybe getting to the hole more. He can be a solid scorer in the right role and he should have that next season. Plus, he’ll be more comfortable in his second year in the lineup.

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