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2021 Pirate Player Preview: Bryce Aiken

Date: August 10, 2021

By: Joe Matthews

Bryce Aiken takes a jumpshot during a Seton Hall men's basketball game.

Seton Hall Athletics

Last season was a roller coaster to say the least for Bryce Aiken. After some legendary moments at Harvard over four years, including scoring 1,000 points and earning a bachelor’s degree, he transferred to Seton Hall to play in his home state. 

The fan base was more than excited to add someone with Aiken’s scoring prowess (he averaged over 22 points-per-game his junior year), to assist in replacing the production lost by Myles Powell’s departure. It seemed like a match made in heaven.

Unfortunately, the injury bug that affected Aiken at Harvard, limiting him to only 65 games in four years, reared its ugly head this past season as well. From a tweaked ankle in the season opener against Louisville to other setbacks throughout the year, it seemed like Aiken always took one step forward, then two steps back.

So, with an extra year of eligibility granted to him, Aiken decided to return to Seton Hall for one last ride and conclude his college career on a high note. The team he’s returning to is vastly different to last year’s rotation, but let’s take a look at how Aiken can positively impact the Pirates rotation this season.

Seton Hall's Bryce Aiken drives to the basket during a Pirates basketball game.

Seton Hall Athletics

Aiken’s main role with the Pirates last season was to offer a change of pace to former Pirates guard and now Monmouth Hawk, Shavar Reynolds. With Reynolds, the offense was methodical, often running through frequent post touches for recent Bucks draftee, Sandro Mamukelashvili. 

However, once Aiken would check in, it seemed like the offense would go into overdrive, with increased pace and faster actions. Also, Aiken was now a threat to score, unlike Reynolds, who was always more of a two-way facilitator. We saw the former Harvard guard turn into a supernova when the Pirates played Creighton at Prudential Center, so he still has those elite scoring chops. Essentially, whether Aiken starts this season or comes off the bench, he immediately offers a unique mixture of scoring and creating for others, which makes the Pirates offense even more dangerous. 

Now, one lineup that would’ve been intriguing to see last year was head coach Kevin Willard trotting out a backcourt with both Aiken and Reynolds. That way, you still have the superb defense of Reynolds and the microwave scoring ability of Aiken on the court at once. However, with the injuries Aiken suffered, those two didn’t share the court that often.

Next season, the Pirates can potentially replicate that pairing and then some, by trotting out a backcourt of Aiken and Syracuse transfer, Kadary Richmond. We’ll break down Richmond’s game in his Player Preview two weeks from now, but essentially, he offers similar playmaking and defense to what Reynolds provided, but at 6-foot-5, is much more versatile on that end.

With a backcourt of Aiken and Richmond, the Pirates could be absolutely lethal on offense. Both players are more than capable of creating shots for others, Aiken is an accomplished scorer, and Kadary showed quite a few flashes of his own last season. These two could be special next season if everything goes right.

So, with Mamukelashvili off to the NBA, coach Willard is now tasked with replacing that production and sorting out everyone’s new roles. With Aiken coming back though, the Pirates can bank on having an experienced scoring guard that makes everyone around him better. Look out for Aiken to close out this chapter of his career with a phenomenal season.

Joe Matthews is an Assistant Sports Director for WSOU Sports and can be reached at joseph.matthews@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Men's Basketball, Sports, WSOU

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