With Ebuka Okorie headed to the NBA, the Cardinal could lean on three true freshmen to spark a return to the NCAA tournament. Here's how our projected lineup stacks up.
As fall approaches quickly, the college football season is already becoming the central focus, with the Stanford Cardinal football program eager to begin the climb to becoming a national powerhouse.
While football opens up training camp next week, Stanford basketball players continue to prepare tirelessly for next season, where a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time in over a decade is the goal.
Even though the season does not start for a few months, the Cardinal have finalized their roster for the upcoming campaign and are now trying to figure out a new identity following the departure of Ebuka Okorie to the NBA.
Bringing in several new faces to go along with returning players, the Cardinal have a lot to work with this season and will face some tough roster decisions.
Here is how we see the starting five shaking out.
Point guard: Isaiah Rogers (freshman)
They did it once. They can do it again. After a widely successful freshman season from Okorie, the Cardinal could once again rely on a true freshman to run the backcourt, and a four-star recruit like Rogers makes a lot of sense.
The star player at Centennial High School in Corona, Rogers is used to being a focal point and could be one again to start his college career.
Shooting guard: Elias Obenyah (freshman)
In college basketball, you do not sign highly-touted recruits unless you plan to play them. Obenyah was a headlining player on a Salesian team that has become a powerhouse both in Northern California and nationally and turned down offers from 19 other schools — including San Diego State and Saint Mary's — to come to The Farm.
His skillset would also complement Rogers. Each player's scouting reports have given a nod to them not being afraid of contact while driving to the rim, which could unlock a new dimension for the Cardinal offense.
Small forward: Aziz Olajuwon (freshman)
Would the Cardinal really start three true freshmen? This year it could happen, especially with how high of a ceiling Olajuwon has. While he still needs to develop in some areas of his game, Olajuwon's size, quickness and physicality will more than make up for it and could bring star power to the wing.
The son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, Aziz is already a household name. Even if he just holds his own during training camp, he should have the upper hand when it comes to winning a starting role at the three.
Adam Finkelstein of 247 Sports said Olajuwon is "a big wing who can defend and make threes" in his evaluation in 2025. Those two skills should have him seeing plenty of playing time.
Power forward: Aidan Cammann (redshirt junior)
With three projected freshmen starters, the Cardinal need experience as well. Cammann, a big part of the rotation last season, is back and ready to firmly cement himself as a cornerstone piece on The Farm.
Averaging 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season, Cammann showed a lot of promise. With another season of experience under his belt, the Cardinal will need his leadership and skillset on the floor.
Center: Austin Maurer (transfer, junior)
Transferring to Stanford after a year at Seattle University, Maurer is the only true center on Stanford's roster. He's coming off a very strong season in the WCC where he averaged 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while being a star player on a Seattle U team that ended the year ranked No. 21 in the nation defensively.
Given the development that Maxime Raynaud showed in coach Smith's first season in 2024-25, Maurer and his 7-foot frame could be ready for a breakout campaign.
Who will be the starting five for Stanford at the beginning of the season? Join the discussion here at Stanford Roundtable!
