Scouting the Deacons projected starting five

PG Codi Miller-McIntyre

Fr., 6-3, 195

Miller-McIntyre, one of two “four-star” recruits in the Deacons’ freshman class, had a tough battle with Raleigh native Madison Jones to be the starting point guard. He will win out because of his size (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) and strength (can bench press 315 pounds). “(Miller-McIntyre) has strength and athleticism,” coach Jeff Bzdelik said.

“He’s very strong driving to the rim, can take the contact and finish. He can also be a real good defender because of his athleticism and strength.”

The Concord native (one of two Deacons recruits from powerhouse Hargrave Military Academy) is more of a hybrid guard, similar to the role C.J. Harris had to play last season. Miller-McIntyre can run the offense and find the open man, or put points on the board with his shooting range.

SG C.J. Harris

Sr., 6-3, 190

16.7 points, 3.1 rebounds

The lone player left from the Deacons’ last NCAA appearance in 2010, Harris has gone through both the highs (a 20-win season as a freshman under then-coach Dino Gaudio) and lows (8- and 13-win seasons under current coach Jeff Bzdelik).

A lot will ride on Harris’ shoulders. Harris, a third-team All-ACC pick. led the Deacons in several categories last season, including scoring, minutes played (35.1), free throw percentage (84.4 percent) and 3-pointers (49 of 116, 42.2 percent).

In addition to what he can do on the court this season, Wake Forest will also depend on him to be the team’s leader off the court.

SF Travis McKie

Jr., 6-7, 220

16.1 points, 7.0 rebounds

McKie, a two-year starter and an honorable mention All-ACC pick, was the Deacons’ lone inside threat, leading the team in rebounding and field goal percentage (47.8 percent) in addition to being their No. 2 scorer. He was also a credible 3-point threat (33 of 87).

McKie has spent the offseason working on his game, either at Wake Forest or at three major camps he attended, both as a counselor and invitee – those by NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and the Adidas Nations camp in Long Beach, Calif.

PF Arnaud William Adala Moto

Fr., 6-6, 215

Another “four-star” recruit. What the Cameroon native lacks in size he makes up for in sheer strength and athleticism – traits Bzdelik said reminds him of former UNLV All-American and Charlotte Hornets forward Larry Johnson.

“He has that kind of body, that kind of game. He’s very, very strong – you’re not going to move him around on the court; he’ll hold his ground,” Bzdelik said. “He’s a really intense competitor.”

PF Devin Thomas

Fr. 6-9, 240

Thomas isn’t the best player in his family – that honor goes to older sister Alyssa, a junior at Maryland who was last year’s ACC Player of the Year. That could change if Thomas develops like Bzdelik thinks he can. “He has great passion, great energy and great toughness,” Bzdelik said. “He’s a great rebounder, really has a knack for that.” What Thomas gives up in height, he makes up for in muscle, reach (7-foot wingspan) and a nose for the ball. He has the potential to give the Deacons a real inside presence, something the team has lacked since Al-Farouq Aminu left for the NBA in 2010 after his freshman year.