50 (and then some) breakout candidates for 2024-25

Cooper Flagg (left) and Airious “Ace” Bailey competed as McDonald’s All-Individuals however are actually headliners for their faculty packages. Necessary Credit score: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Pictures

Flagg, Cooper.

Now that we bought that out of the way in which, let’s get to the remainder of the 2024-25 faculty basketball breakout gamers as recognized by Discipline Stage Media’s basketball community forward of the season openers subsequent week.

Some acquainted names set for centerstage introductions like Flagg at Duke, the No. 1 recruit within the freshman class and potential No. 1 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft, and Ace Bailey at Rutgers are already key components to the success of their new groups.

Others are holdovers again on campus and climbing the ladder for a extra distinguished or featured function.

We have greater than different 50 names for you to know earlier than the season ideas off Monday, with breakout candidates from each nook of the map listed in alphabetical order.

Now that we have confirmed Flagg is current, this is the remainder of our breakout roll name:

F Ace Bailey, freshman, Rutgers

Stocked with expertise and loads of youth, Rutgers landed a number of gems within the offseason. Bailey would possibly show probably the most precious with an thrilling mix of dimension and explosiveness that brings the Scarlet Knights must-see enchantment.

F/C Xavier Booker, sophomore, Michigan State

A hyped top-5 recruit in 2023, Booker struggled to get acclimated to the school sport and barely performed till late within the season. In the course of the Huge Ten and NCAA tournaments, he bought extra snug and showcased his skill to stretch the ground with perimeter capturing. Greater, stronger and extra assured, Booker has the talents to show himself into an NBA prospect.

F Pierre Brooks, senior, Butler: After enjoying minimal minutes with Michigan State for two years, Brooks made himself recognized at Butler. Beginning each sport for the Bulldogs, Brooks led Butler with 14.8 factors per sport, exhibiting his three-level scoring skill. Brooks skill to attain from wherever makes him tough to protect, and would be the participant to look at for head coach Thad Matta’s aspect.

G Dion Brown, junior, Boston School

Brown is a bodily backcourt participant who averaged 19.0 factors and seven.6 rebounds per sport for UMBC final season, when he additionally led the Retrievers in steals. He is stepping up a stage within the ACC.

F Carter Bryant, freshman, Arizona

McDonald’s All-American as a 6-foot-8, 225-pound ahead was a Prime 20 nationwide recruit in each recruiting service. He has a 7-foot wingspan and runs with velocity and agility for his dimension, offering versatility for mix-and-match defensive assignments.

F Ben Burnham, senior, Virginia Tech:

Burnham is a high-energy presence versatile sufficient to have an effect on issues at each ends of the ground. He’ll be trusted to deliver expertise in his first season at Virginia Tech after transferring from School of Charleston the place he performed twice within the NCAA Match. Apart from his presence within the frontcourt, Burnham can shoot from distance; he made 36.8 p.c from 3-point vary final season.

G Wesley Cardet Jr., senior, Windfall

The Friars are assured that Cardet, who averaged 18.7 factors per sport throughout his second of two seasons at Chicago State, can proceed to attain the ball and make an impression defensively as he transitions to the Huge East.

F Jaylen Carey, sophomore, Vanderbilt

Averaged 14.9 minutes and seven.0 factors per sport final season at JMU, however the Commodores need assistance rapidly and Carey’s stats projected to 40 minutes (18.8 factors, 11.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.8 blocks a sport) as nicely his effectivity (66.9% on area targets, 27 assists to 22 turnovers) level to a fast rise as a key contributor.

G Jaquan Carlos, senior, Syracuse

It is not usually {that a} senior is taken into account a breakout participant, however the Hofstra switch may blossom in his first season at Syracuse. Carlos is a gifted passer who averaged 6.3 assists for the Satisfaction final season. Extra alternatives are anticipated flanked by Chris Bell and J.J. Starling.

F Andrew Carr, graduate pupil, Kentucky

Wake Forest switch bearing a bodily resemblance to the school model of his new coach, Carr averaged 13.8 factors and 6.8 rebounds per sport final season, capturing 52.8 p.c from the sphere and 37.8 p.c from 3-point vary. With 112 collegiate begins and three-level scoring skill, he’ll assist regular a built-on-the-fly roster.

G Cameron Carr, sophomore, Tennessee

Scoring choices are wanted to enrich star guard Zakai Ziegler, and the previous four-star prospect out of Eden Prairie, Minn., appeared in 14 video games final season together with six convention video games. He confirmed his high-flying athleticism, sharp capturing and talent to run the ground.

F Daimion Collins, junior, LSU

The previous consensus five-star recruit who was a backup at Kentucky for two seasons, performed in simply six video games in his LSU debut season due to a shoulder harm. However head coach Matt McMahon known as him “a once-in-a-lifetime athlete,” including, “I’ll probably never coach someone like him again.”

F Alex Condon, sophomore, Florida

No secret in his personal convention because of being named to the SEC All-Freshman group, Condon is predicted to grab a beginning function as a sophomore. He averaged 7.7 factors and 6.4 rebounds per sport off the bench. The 6-11, 230-pound Australian can run the ground and crash the glass.

G Arden Conyers, redshirt freshman, South Carolina

The Gamecocks are assured they’ve a neighborhood boy made nice in Conyers, a product of Columbia, S.C., who redshirted final season however averaged 21.4 factors and 5.5 rebounds as a senior at close by Westwood Excessive. Conyers brings versatility as a shooter and attacker.

F Steven Crowl, senior, Wisconsin

The Badgers are 14-2 in Crowl’s profession when he leads the group in scoring. Had seven double-doubles final season and scored in double figures 8 of final 10 video games. He has to keep away from foul bother and eradicate video games the place he isn’t an element.

G Brandin Cummings, freshman, Pittsburgh

Though Cummings has gifted guards forward of him, do not be shocked to see the highest incoming recruit flip heads in his first season on campus. A 6-foot-3 combo guard with lethal vary, he performed highschool ball 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and opted to remain house.

G Arturo Dean, junior, Oklahoma State

When new head coach Steve Lutz needed velocity to begin his first 12 months with the Cowboys, he picked up Arturo Dean. The 2023 Convention USA Defensive Participant of the Yr is a power up and down the court docket, with not many who can catch him. When he isn’t choosing passes or swiping steals, Dean expenses into the basket and take contact.

G Jordan Derkack, junior, Rutgers

Derkack moved as much as the Huge Ten after a stellar 12 months at Merrimack earned him each Participant of the Yr and Defensive Participant of the Yr honors within the Northeast Convention. His rebounding, hustle and talent to get in opponents’ passing lanes will make him a darling of coach Steve Pikiell.

F Malik Dia, junior, Ole Miss

Dia has expertise with 20 video games as a freshman at Vanderbilt, then 33 video games as a sophomore at Belmont. Coming off a season through which he averaged 16.9 factors and 5.8 rebounds plus 26 blocks and 27 steals, Dia is poised to have a much bigger impression on a guard-oriented group.

G Josh Dix, junior, Iowa

He made 20 begins and the Council Bluffs (Iowa) native is a family identify for Hawkeyes’ followers. However he is a breakout candidate by way of expectations for multiplied manufacturing. He scored 8.9 factors per sport final season and hit a formidable 55.2 p.c from the sphere. Two sophomores at Iowa – Huge Ten Freshman of the Yr Owen Freeman and reserve level guard Brock Harding – are amongst others knocking (kicking down?) the door with drastically elevated offseason performances.

F Eric Dixon, graduate pupil, Villanova

As one of many final hyperlinks to the Jay Wright years – and maybe the final hyperlink to the times of a participant exhausting his eligibility at one faculty – Dixon will do some little bit of the whole lot in his sixth season with the Wildcats. A preseason candidate for the Karl Malone Award offered to the perfect energy ahead in Division I, Dixon led Villanova in scoring, rebounding and blocks final season whereas attending to the road 145 occasions.

F Cooper Flagg, freshman, Duke

All of the hype comes with this 6-foot-9 wing who was the nation’s top-rated recruit, a preseason All-American and the potential No. 1 draft choose in 2025. He can get it performed at each ends of the court docket and stood out even in opposition to a legend-filled Staff USA roster in coaching classes.

F Roddy Gayle Jr., junior, Michigan

Let’s simply say the Wolverines annual go to to Columbus, Ohio shall be slightly awkward for Gayle. It is one factor to enter the switch portal; it is one other to decide on your greatest rival. Gayle averaged 13.5 factors, 4.6 rebounds and three.1 assists for Ohio State final season. The highly effective, athletic Gayle is an elite finisher and immediately turned a powerful candidate to steer the Wolverines in scoring.

G Rylan Griffen, junior, Kansas

One of many junior guards within the reconstructed KU backcourt rotation – Wisconsin’s AJ Storr is the opposite – Griffen performed a bit half on a gifted Alabama group final season however has the vary and contact the Jayhawks lacked. Griffen made 74 3-pointers for the Crimson Tide final season and will not fear about ground spacing on a loaded KU roster.

F Amani Hansberry, sophomore, West Virginia

Hansberry is an undersized heart at 6-foot-8, however he can draw taller defenders away from the basket with 3-point vary. He was a four-star recruit popping out of highschool and averaged 7.5 minutes per sport final season as a freshman at Illinois.

G DeShawn Harris-Smith, sophomore, Maryland

The previous four-star recruit can rapidly fulfill his promise if his perimeter capturing improves. He shot 20.2 p.c on 3-pointers as a freshman.

G Elijah Hawkins, senior, Texas Tech

Named to the 2025 Bob Cousy Award Watch Record, Hawkins ranked second nationally with 7.5 assists per sport and in addition averaged 9.5 factors and 1.6 steals for Minnesota final season. He transferred to Texas Tech with 1,077 factors, 588 assists, 169 steals and 10 double-doubles in 92 profession video games.

G Josh Hubbard, sophomore, Mississippi State

As a substitute of a sophomore stoop, anticipate Hubbard to take the sophomore leap. His teaser efficiency that proved it to Hubbard and others was pulling down seven 3s in a 34-point sport in opposition to Kentucky final season.

G Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois

A 19-year-old freshman from Lithuania and a part of a loaded Illinois freshman class, Jakucionis entered early dialogue for NBA draft lottery potential earlier than flashing it for the Preventing Illini in a scrimmage at Ole Miss final month. He had 12 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists but additionally 4 turnovers, an indication he will not be totally resistant to rising pains.

G Kam Jones, senior, Marquette

Breakouts are relative, and there is Naismith Watch skill on this one. Within the shadow of Tyler Kolek no extra, Kam Jones can rating and is listening to the targets coach Shaka Good had from him, beginning with changing into a greater passer.

G Kon Knueppel, freshman, Duke

He is an prompt hit with coach Jon Scheyer and teammates with out ever pulling the set off on a 3. A easy shooter and gritty competitor at 6-foot-7, Kneuppel already is taken some strain off of fellow freshman Cooper Flagg, a pattern that’s more likely to proceed.

G Tamin Lipsey, junior, Iowa State

Lipsey shot 39.1 p.c from past the arc final season, a major enchancment from his 20 p.c success fee from 3-point vary as a freshman. He offers stellar protection to the Cyclones and has the potential to be probably the greatest two-way gamers within the nation.

G Jaland Lowe, sophomore, Pittsburgh

A 2,000-point scorer in highschool, Lowe is about far more than factors. He’ll set the desk, rebound and defend as a key for the Panthers competing within the ACC.

F Baye Ndongo, sophomore, Georgia Tech

For those who paid consideration to ACC basketball final season, Ndongo is not a brand new identify. A hand harm saved him out to begin final season however he delivered just a few stellar performances and averaged 12.4 factors and eight.2 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

F Liam McNeeley, freshman, UConn

McNeeley, a 6-foot-7 ahead, is a five-star recruit who initially dedicated to Indiana. He was chosen because the Huge East Preseason Freshman of the Yr. Head coach Dan Hurley mentioned McNeeley is as able to contribute as any freshman who’s entered this system.

F Scotty Middleton, sophomore, Seton Corridor

An athletic wing highly-touted as a flashy recruit, Middleton begins over after a quiet freshman marketing campaign at Ohio State. When Middleton did see the ground — he made greater than 45 p.c (28 of 62) of his 3-point makes an attempt. Seton Corridor hasn’t had a go-to shooter for just a few years.

F Mason Miller, junior, Creighton

The son of former NBA participant Mike Miller averaged 5.6 factors and three.3 rebounds per sport final season. He is in line for greater numbers with fellow ahead Baylor Scheierman now enjoying for the Boston Celtics within the NBA. The 6-foot-9 Miller sank 45.4 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt in 2023-24 and will see loads of beauty with defenses targeted on Huge East preseason participant of the 12 months Ryan Kalkbrenner.

F Asa Newell, freshman, Georgia

Any time you joined an inventory that features Anthony Edwards, Lou Williams and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, heads flip. That is what freshman phenom Asa Newell did when he turned the fourth 247 Sports activities five-star recruit to ever decide to Georgia. The 6-foot-11 lefty can shoot, end above the rim and defend the paint with ease.

G Michael O’Connell, graduate pupil, NC State

A Stanford switch who averaged simply 5.7 factors and three.2 assists final season, O’Connell emerged because the postseason catalyst of the Wolfpack as they received 5 video games in 5 days to seize the ACC event and then rolled to the Last 4. With O’Connell as NC State’s ground chief, he’ll be distributing to a lineup that features 4 Division I transfers who averaged no less than 12 ppg at their earlier stops.

G Manny Obaseki, senior, Texas A&M

The athletic 6-4 guard averaged 16.5 factors (together with 22 in a first-round NCAA Match win in opposition to Nebraska) and three.0 rebounds the ultimate eight video games final season after being inserted into the beginning lineup. His skill to play inside and out of doors will stretch defenses.

F Jayden Quaintance, freshman, Arizona State

A consensus 5-star recruit out of Phrase of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., Quaintance is a 6-foot-9, 230-pound power on each ends of the court docket. His wingspan of 7-foot-3 will – ultimately – make him a gamechanger. Clearly a weightroom common, he is nonetheless an especially younger expertise (turned 17 in July) and streaky play is predicted. However there’s boundless promise and athleticism given his body and capturing contact.

F Maxime Raynaud, senior, Stanford

He did not get a silver medal to point out for it, however Raynaud returned to France over the summer season to coach with the French Nationwide Staff, which superior to the Olympic finals earlier than shedding to Staff USA. The 7-footer improved his scoring common every season — from 4.5 to eight.8 to fifteen.5 – getting into Yr 4.

G Anthony Robinson II, sophomore, Missouri

After enjoying simply 13.3 minutes per sport as a freshman, Robinson figures to be key rotation piece in 2024-25 and is the Tigers’ prime on-ball defender. He had six steals and 6 assists throughout Missouri’s 90-45 exhibition victory over Lincoln College.

G Hunter Sallis, senior, Wake Forest

He’ll be in his second season with the Demon Deacons and started his profession at Gonzaga. Sallis may construct on his scoring common of 18 factors per sport, which was boosted by 40.5-percent capturing on 3s, after receiving first-team All-ACC honors final season.

G Jackson Shelstad, sophomore, Oregon

He is again after a powerful marketing campaign through which he began 30 of 32 video games and averaged 12.8 factors per sport to earn a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Staff. Now within the Huge Ten, Shelstad must make changes to a extra bodily model of protection.

G Braeden Shrewsberry, sophomore, Notre Dame

The son of coach Micah Shrewsberry averaged 10.2 factors and shot 39.8 p.c from 3 as a freshman. He set a college file with 55 3s in convention play (78 complete) and earned a spot within the beginning lineup together with Markus Burton, giving the Preventing Irish the potential for one of many ACC’s extra productive backcourts.

F Dusty Stromer, sophomore, Gonzaga

From starter as an harm alternative to a extra snug function as Sixth Man by the tip of his freshman season, Stromer overcame sagging confidence and targeted on discovering different methods to contribute final season. A deadeye perimeter shooter, Stromer’s protection and competitiveness stood out late within the 12 months. He is an element within the rotation at small ahead with large potential.

G/F Dailyn Swain, sophomore, Xavier

An appendectomy compelled Swain to overlook the ultimate 5 video games of his freshman season. He confirmed he is one in every of Xavier’s most athletic and versatile gamers in 29 complete video games. In his first profession begin Jan. 23, he scored 9 factors, grabbed a career-high six rebounds, two assists and a career-high matching two blocks.

G Seth Trimble, junior, North Carolina

An unbelievable athlete and lockdown on-ball defender, Trimble returns after initially tossing his identify into the switch portal. A candidate for ACC Sixth Man of the Yr in 2023-24 (5.2 factors in 17.1 minutes per sport), Trimble is poised for big-time manufacturing as a starter.

C Ernest Udeh Jr., junior, TCU

He missed the final 5 video games of his sophomore season with a leg harm, however Udeh is able to transfer from complementary participant to indispensable asset for the Horned Frogs. Coach Jamie Dixon desires TCU to “play more physically without fouling,” as the one returning scholarship participant that noticed court docket time final 12 months, Udeh has the dimensions (6-11, 260) to be a power on each ends of the court docket.

G D.J. Wagner, sophomore, Arkansas

Wagner got here to Arkansas with head coach John Calipari after falling in need of astronomical projections for his freshman season at Kentucky. Wagner nonetheless averaged 9.9 factors per sport and has the DNA to double his manufacturing as a central determine for the Hogs.

–Discipline Stage Media