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    Zep Jasper talks about Auburn's offseason.

    What Bruce Pearl said about Auburn basketball freshman Chance Westry

    Bruce Pearl said a lot of good things about future Auburn basketball star Chance Westry.

    In this story:

    Auburn Tigers
    Auburn Tigers

    Auburn basketball may have a ton of questions about what the lineup will look like next season, there's no questioning the amount of talent on the roster. 

    A big part of Auburn basketball's reload this offseason after losing Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler to the NBA Draft is freshman Chance Westry. 

    The Compass Prep standout from Chandler, AZ should get some key minutes as a true freshman this season at either the two or the three. Bruce Pearl spoke very highly of his future star while speaking to reporters after making an appearance at the Columbus Auburn club last week. 

    Here's some of what Pearl said. 

    Westry reminds Pearl of Samir Doughty

    AZ Compass Prep's Chance Westry (2) drives the basketball during the GEICO Nationals quarterfinal between AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) and Montverde Academy (Fla.), Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.Montverde Academy defeated AZ Compass Prep 72-63. GEICO Nationals 2022: AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) vs. Montverde Academy (Fla.), March 31, 2022

    “He reminds me a lot of Samir Doughty; he really does,” Pearl said. “He’s probably better than Samir when Samir was a freshman, maybe even a sophomore, so he’s not the Samir Doughty we remember — the first-team All-SEC (selection) as a senior — but he’s got that instinct, he’s got that feel.”

    Westry has the swagger

    December 6, 2021; Chandler, AZ; AZ Compass Prep varsity basketball player, senior, Chance Westry, 2, practices at the AZCP gymnasium the week of the Hoophall West tournament Az Compass Basketball

    “I think he probably has more of a swagger than Samir did as a freshman, but there are very few players who would have the same swag as Samir did as a senior.”

    Great traits

    AZ Compass Prep's Chance Westry (2) dribbles against Combine Academy's Preston Murphy, Jr. (3) during the second half of the 48th annual City of Palms Classic Signature Series championship between AZ Compass Prep and Combine Academy, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.AZ Compass Prep defeated Combine Academy 58-43. City of Palms Classic 2021: AZ Compass Prep vs. Combine Academy, Signature Series championship

    “He’s got good length. He can score. Offensively, he can score inside and out. He can get downhill. He can score through contact; he’ll draw fouls. He can make plays out of ball-screens, and he’s got the size to make plays out of ball-screens and be able to pass out of it. He’s a good shooter with a chance to be a very good shooter. I think he just gives us a lot of flexibility.”

    Will he play as a freshman?

    AZ Compass Prep's Chance Westry (2) looks for an opening against Combine Academy's Preston Murphy, Jr. (3) during the second half of the 48th annual City of Palms Classic Signature Series championship between AZ Compass Prep and Combine Academy, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.AZ Compass Prep defeated Combine Academy 58-43. City of Palms Classic 2021: AZ Compass Prep vs. Combine Academy Signature Series championship

    “I think Chance is going to be on the floor, so the other guys are going to have to figure it out,” Pearl said. “He may get moved around based on the strengths of the other players, and where they move him, but he’s going to be out there.”

    Westry signed his national letter of intent to Auburn on November 10th. 

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