So, similar to the summary of the women’s roster, I want to clarify who is on the men’s basketball roster, what class everyone is in, and what the future may look like. This will also have its own dedicated page going forward, with periodic updates as necessary. Helpfully, the athletic department recently posted this year’s roster, allowing me to complete this rundown.
The headline here: there are a million guys on this basketball team. I mean, seriously. The scholarship cap for men’s basketball is 13. Last year, there were 19 players on the roster. By rule, COVID-exceptions didn’t count against that cap. From my assessment, that only included Stacy Beckton, Jr., maybe Marvin Bragg as well.
How is the rest of that gap from 13 to 19 bridged? Walk-ons? Medical hardships? I don’t have the answer, and frankly, it doesn’t matter that much. It just means that there is lots of competition for playing time, and some guys may transfer as a result. That’s just life in modern college basketball. I choose to see it as an asset that there are nearly 20 young men who want to come play basketball in Tenleytown.
The 2022-2023 Squad
From that squad of 19 last year, three graduated and two transferred away, while three freshmen are set to enroll. Yes, we’re looking at a roster of 17 for this upcoming season. The massive freshman class from 2020 – which added Lincoln Ball from George Washington to the men’s basketball roster last year – remains intact. As a result, the Eagles project to have seven seniors on next year’s team. In addition to the talented four-player freshman class from last year, AU brings three new freshmen into the fold. The three veterans who likely enter their final year round out the roster.
This site projects Ben Lubarsky to graduate and leave the team next year, although don’t count out a grad assistant role for him in the future. There is also one freshman committed from the class of 2023: Matt Mayock. There are a few more talented players in that class who hold offers from American, so don’t be surprised to see more join that class before all is said and done.
A more detailed roster breakdown will come closer to season tipoff.