DePaul Basketball added eight newcomers to the roster, including five transfers. Arguably the most intriguing newcomer was Amsal Delalic, a 6’7 guard who produced 3.8 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 21 games as a freshman at Pittsburgh on 46% shooting and 35% from deep off the bench.

A year ago, Delalic was viewed as one of the better international imports to college basketball. However, a hand injury caused him to miss most of the preseason and the start of the 2024-25 campaign, causing him to play catch-up. He showed some flashes as a playmaker, including nine points against Wisconsin and 14 points in 28 minutes in a win over Miami.

Delalic entered the portal and picked DePaul and was set to be a potential breakout candidate in the Big East. Unfortunately, the Blue Demons will be without him for at least the 2025-26 campaign.

DePaul brought back three key pieces from last year’s roster, including leading scorer and 6’6 guard, CJ Gunn (12.9 ppg). He’ll be the focal point again, but now, the depth on the wings is hurting. This puts lots of pressure on Brandon Maclin, a 6’5 transfer guard from Radford, to have a big impact out the gate. Last season, Maclin averaged 10 ppg and 4.3 rpg, shooting 43% from the field. 

Maclin very well could start in the backcourt, unless Tulane transfer combo forward Kaleb Banks (14.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg) becomes a key piece in his own right. Still, not having Delalic will hurt their ceiling, as his all-around potential could help out both Gunn and Layden Blocker in the backcourt.

The injury bug has caught college basketball in Summer workouts already, with DePaul joining Michigan State and Iowa State as teams losing projected rotation players for the 2025-26 season.