Projecting starters, key players for 2022 Ducks

On Wednesday afternoon, Oregon Duck fans got the long-awaited news that point guard Will Richardson will be returning to the team. After what was thought to be his final season with the Ducks, Richardson explored the NBA draft waters but decided this week to withdraw his name from consideration and come back to Eugene for one more season with Dana Altman and the Ducks.

Richardson has had a great career with the Ducks, but after a season where he averaged 14.1 points, along with 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, it’s not a huge shock that he is returning for one more year of college ball, looking to up his draft stock a bit.

Now that we know Richardson is returning though, it gives us a major puzzle piece to work with when trying to construct Oregon’s roster next season. A couple of times already this year we’ve taken a crack at predicting the starters and key role players. Now, with a couple of transfers on the team and the veteran-most player coming back for more, it’s time we give it another shot.

First … Oregon’s potential starters

Guard — Will Richardson

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Projecting Ahead

Not many people expected Richardson to return for one more year with Oregon, but when you look at him as a player, plus the end to his 2021 season, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise. Richardson is a hard-working individual, and you know that missing the final handful of games in his senior season didn’t sit well with him, especially when it led to Oregon fizzling down the stretch. Now he gets to put that behind him and hopefully go out the right way, upping his NBA draft stock in the process. While the Ducks have a number of guards that can play here, if Richardson is on the squad, he will be the starting PG.

Guard — Keeshawn Barthelemy

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Projecting Ahead

After the somewhat surprising transfer of De’Vion Harmon,…