Oklahoma State men's basketball: Breaking down Cowboys' roster entering 2022-23 season

STILLWATER — After a season overshadowed by an NCAA-mandated postseason ban, Oklahoma State’s high hopes are back.

Cowboys coach Mike Boynton enters his sixth season with a team picked to finish tied for fifth in the Big 12, according to the preseason coaches’ poll.

But OSU has the talent to do more, including a second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons.

Here is a look at the Cowboys’ roster entering Monday’s regular season opener against Texas-Arlington at 8 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena:

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Guards

➤Avery Anderson III, 6-3, Sr.: A preseason All-Big 12 selection, Anderson has grown into the Cowboys’ top scoring threat after averaging 12.1 points per game throughout the past two seasons. He scored a career-high 34 points against Iowa State last season and reached double figures in 15 of 30 games. He also averaged 1.77 steals per game, fourth-best in the Big 12.

➤Bryce Thompson, 6-6, Jr.: The former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American transferred from Kansas before last season and found his footing late. A Tulsa Booker T. Washington graduate, Thompson averaged 10.6 points over 26.2 minutes per game. He showed an excellent mid-range game and was key in the road upset of No. 1 Baylor.

➤John-Michael Wright, 6-1, Sr.: A High Point transfer, Wright was brought in to be the starting point guard. A steady presence who averaged 18.4 points per game a year ago and 20.7 the year before, Wright won’t be relied on as much for scoring, though he did shoot 36.3% from 3-point range last season.

➤Caleb Asberry, 6-3, R-Sr.*: After a breakout season, Asberry transferred from Texas State. The strong shooter averaged 13.6 points per game and shot nearly 39% from 3. In the 2020-21 season, he shot nearly 42% from deep. The Pflugerville, Texas, native began his career at Ranger (Texas) College and played a season under Billy Gillispie.

➤Woody Newton, 6-9, Jr.: Newton entered the program as a stretch four after one season at Syracuse but has primarily worked with the guards this preseason. He played in just 17 games last season with the Cowboys and averaged 7.5 minutes, but is expected to earn more time this season.

➤Quion Williams, 6-4, Fr.: The lone true freshman on scholarship, Williams brings energy and athleticism with his big frame. He’s drawn comparisons to former Cowboy Isaac Likekele, but Williams will have a different bench role. The Jonesboro, Arkansas, native won two state titles in high school, including last season when he was named the Class 5A MVP.

➤Naz Brown, 6-0, Fr.: A walk-on from Coppell (Texas) High School, Brown averaged 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a senior. He also went viral last season for a full-court buzzer-beating shot.

➤Weston Church, 6-3, Jr.: The walk-on from Fairview played in four games a year ago — his first action after not suiting up due to COVID-19 in the 2020-21 season — and made 1 of 3 shots.

➤Brooks Manzer, 6-3, So.: Another walk-on, Manzer is the son of former OSU standout guard Bryndon Manzer. Brooks did not suit up last season, though, as he recovered from an ACL injury he suffered as a senior at Edmond Memorial High School.

➤Carson Sager, 6-4, Jr.: A walk-on like his older brother Christien began his OSU career, Sager also appeared in four games last season, scoring two points on free shots. His father, Charlie, also played basketball at Utah State and Midwestern State. His sister, Kelsie, also plays beach volleyball at Central Arkansas.

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Forwards

➤Kalib Boone, 6-9, Sr.: The Tulsa Memorial graduate is playing for the first time without his twin brother, Keylan, and moving positions. Boone will play less as the five in the offense and more as the four, extending his offensive game that has thrived in the paint. Boone is also a dynamic rim protector, finishing last season with 33 blocks, which was second in the conference.

➤Tyreek Smith, 6-9, R-Jr.: A strong inside presence, Smith started the final seven games and played in every game a year ago. The Texas Tech transfer averaged 11.9 minutes per game and had 19 blocks, with at least two blocks in five different games.

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Centers

➤Moussa Cisse, 7-1, Jr.: The reigning co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year opted not to test his NBA chances and return. Cisse took huge steps forward on both ends of the floor in his first season with the Cowboys. He led the Big 12 with 38 blocks. He had five double doubles. And his free-shot percentage jumped to 56.2% after shooting a dismal 32.4% as a freshman at Memphis.

➤Bernard Kouma, 6-10, Sr.: Kouma appeared in just six games and scored seven points last season, a huge dip after appearing in 26 games and starting two the year before. Kouma is a hard-working defender and physical screen setter when he does enter the game.

*-Super senior

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Three non-conference games to watch

The Cowboys’ non-conference schedule features just three opponents from the six major conferences, including a late-January showdown with the SEC’s Ole Miss.

But the schedule does have trips to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Hoops event and Brooklyn for the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational.

It all kicks off Monday night against Texas-Arlington and then Thursday against Southern Illinois.

Here is a look a three key non-conference games to watch in November and December:

➤Dec. 1 at UConn, 5:30 p.m.: A fifth seed eliminated in the opening round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, the Huskies are the first real big test for the Cowboys. UConn features 6-foot-9 center Adam Sanogo, the Big East Preseason Player of the Year and true test for OSU star center Moussa Cisse. UConn also features more NBA talent, including sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins.

➤Dec. 11 vs. Virginia Tech in Brooklyn, 1 p.m.: The Hokies were an 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and have a chance to make a third straight appearance. Six-foot-7 forward Justyn Mutts withdrew from the NBA Draft process, giving Virginia Tech a needed veteran leader. The Hokies also feature a talented group of guards capable of making shots all over the floor, which will test OSU’s defense. And they also have a budding star in former Edmond Memorial star Sean Pedulla, who made 44.7% of his 3-pointers as a freshman.

➤Dec. 17 at Wichita State, 8 p.m.: The Shockers are the third American Athletic Conference team the Cowboys will face in the first two months of the season, but this matchup has turned into a rivalry. They’ve placed each season since 2019, with Wichita State winning twice. But the Shockers are undergoing a rebuild. This could ultimately be a defensive battle that comes down to the final possessions.

Jacob Unruh covers college sports for The Oklahoman. You can send your story ideas to him at junruh@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball roster for 2022-23 season