Team Lineup & Rotation Analysis
- After a 14-20 season that revealed the program's past struggles, coach Chris Holtmann is steering the DePaul Blue Demons toward a brighter future.
- CJ Gunn, who transferred from Indiana last season, led DePaul in scoring with 12.9 points per game.He also grabbed 4.0 rebounds per game.Gunn shot 30% from 3-point range,...
- Layden Blocker, a transfer from Arkansas, started steadily last year, averaging 9.5 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Get the inside scoop on the DePaul Blue Demons’ revamped roster for the 2025-26 season! We dissect coach Chris Holtmann’s strategic moves after a challenging season, highlighting key players like CJ Gunn, Layden Blocker, and potential breakout star Kaleb Banks. This in-depth analysis reveals how transfer portal additions and promising freshmen are poised to impact the team’s performance. Discover the starting lineups and rotation strategies that could propel the Blue Demons to success in the Big East. News Directory 3 has the exclusive insights you need to understand DePaul’s potential. Discover what’s next for the evolving Blue Demons.
DePaul Blue Demons look to improve in 2025-26 season
updated June 02, 2025
After a 14-20 season that revealed the program’s past struggles, coach Chris Holtmann is steering the DePaul Blue Demons toward a brighter future. With significant additions from the transfer portal and promising freshman recruits joining solid returnees, an improved squad is anticipated for the 2025-26 season. Here’s an early look at the team.
CJ Gunn, who transferred from Indiana last season, led DePaul in scoring with 12.9 points per game.He also grabbed 4.0 rebounds per game.Gunn shot 30% from 3-point range, improving his overall shooting to 43%. His experience and scoring will be key for DePaul.
Layden Blocker, a transfer from Arkansas, started steadily last year, averaging 9.5 points and 3.1 assists per game. Blocker shot 34% from 3-point range and is expected to start at point guard again. With more scoring options around him, his job should be easier this season.
NJ Benson, a Missouri State transfer, started part-time last year, averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 Benson is a traditional post player,not a perimeter threat. His rebounding and Big East experience should considerably impact DePaul.
Kaleb Banks, after stints at Indiana and Tulane, has transferred to DePaul. Last year at Tulane, he averaged 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-7 Banks shot 34% from 3-point range. As a smooth, athletic wing forward, he could become one of DePaul’s top players in 2025-26.
Khaman Maker, a 7-foot-1 center, played sparingly for St. John’s last year. While his game is largely unknown, his height is a valuable asset. For a depaul team that struggled to protect the basket, even a developing 7-footer is a welcome addition.
Colorado guard RJ Smith is expected to see significant minutes in the backcourt. International transfer Amsal Delalic, from Pittsburgh, where he scored 3.8 points per game, brings an intriguing game. Four-star high school recruits Kruz McClure (guard) and Isaiah Medina (center) will also contribute, with Medina perhaps starting inside.
while Gunn will be important, Banks’s ability to step into a major role could define the team. DePaul should have solid guard play, but the frontcourt’s contributions remain a question. Banks’s Tulane performance suggests All-Big East potential, but his production remains to be seen for the DePaul Blue Demons.
What’s next
The DePaul Blue Demons, with their revamped roster, aim to surprise in the Big east. Keep an eye on Kaleb Banks as a potential breakout star.