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20 breakout players for the 2024-25 season

It’s never too early to start looking ahead!

Check below for our list of 20 breakout players for the 2024-25 college basketball season.

Please note that someone cannot be considered a “breakout player” if he was a double-figure scorer the previous year.

In no particular order:

Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue: With Zach Edey no longer in West Lafayette, Kaufman-Renn’s numbers are set to spike. The 6-9 big man averaged 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds last season in games where he logged 20 minutes or more. Kaufman-Renn has All-Big Ten caliber potential in 2024-25.

Caleb Foster, Duke: Foster missed the entire postseason last year due to injury, but has already been fully cleared for all basketball related activities. With five-star freshman Cooper Flagg set to be the focal point of every opponent’s scouting report, a long-distance threat like the 6-5 Foster could be a very dangerous weapon for Jon Scheyer. Foster averaged 7.7 points while shooting an impressive 40.6 percent from three-point range last season as a freshman.

Samson Johnson, UConn: The 6-10 Johnson averaged 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in five games a year ago when Donovan Clingan was out of the lineup with a foot injury. That’s a pretty safe floor for Johnson, who’s ready for a leading role after serving as a backup the past two seasons to both Clingan and Adama Sanogo.

Jaylin Stewart, UConn: Stewart displayed his long-term potential last March at the Big East Tournament, tallying 17 points in 22 minutes in back-to-back wins over St. John’s and Marquette. His development is critical to UConn’s hopes of winning a third straight national title. If the 6-8 Stewart develops into an All-Big East caliber player, the ceiling officially changes in Storrs.

Jizzle James, Cincinnati: James averaged 19 points in three games last March during the Postseason NIT when Day Day Thomas was out of the lineup for Cincinnati due to injury. The son of former NFL star Edgerrin James, this lead guard is primed to be a household name in the Big 12 during the 2024-25 season.

Dailyn Swain, Xavier: The Musketeers’ staff is bullish about the 6-7 Swain, who didn’t played after March 2nd last season due to an appendectomy. Long, bouncy, and skilled, Swain will be significantly bigger and a stronger as a sophomore than he was as a freshman. Swain averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds last season in games where he logged 25 minutes or more.

KJ Lewis, Arizona: The 6-4 Lewis was a major part of Arizona’s rotation last season as a freshman when the Wildcats earned a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. Don’t be shocked if he quickly separates himself as the best perimeter defender as a sophomore. Whatever “it” is, Lewis possesses.

Jaden Bradley, Arizona: Bradley is ready to be the Wildcats’ starting point guard after he excelled last season as a key reserve. He was exceptionally effective a year ago during March Madness, averaging 12.7 points off the bench in three games in the NCAA Tournament. With Kylan Boswell now at Illinois, Arizona is officially Bradley’s team.

Joseph Tugler, Houston: A foot injury cut Tugler’s freshman season short last season, but he should be back and better than ever in 2024-25. A relentless rebounder with a nose for the ball, the 6-7 Tugler should have a chance to be a force in Houston’s rotation as the Cougars eye another quality seed on Selection Sunday.

Terrance Arceneaux, Houston: Arceneaux was projected as a potential first-round pick before he ever played a college game. Two years later, he’s coming off an achilles injury that only allowed him to play in 11 games last season. Not to worry, this is the year where he finally breaks through. After showing glimpses of promise in a short sample size last season (5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds), the 6-5 Arceneaux is one part of what should be the deepest team that the Cougars have had under Kelvin Sampson.

Simeon Wilcher, St. John’s: Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall) and Deivon Smith (Utah) are the headliners in St. John’s backcourt, but Wilcher will also play a major part. A former top-30 recruit, Wilcher didn’t put up huge numbers last season as a freshman (2.8 points), but is more than capable of being a key contributor in 2024-25. He’ll play a key role in what should be a big year for the Red Storm under Rick Pitino.

Braden Huff, Gonzaga: A redshirt sophomore, the 6-10 Huff operated in the shadows last season, but quietly had a major hand in the Bulldogs’ late push to reach the NCAA Tournament. Huff had 12 points and three rebounds in a crucial road win at Kentucky and 11 points in an NCAA Tournament victory over Kansas. His star is set to rise in 2024-25.

Chase Ross, Marquette: Marquette is 24-1 over the past two seasons in games where Ross scores eight or more points. The door is open for him to a have significantly bigger role as a junior. Don’t be shocked if this guy emerges as the Golden Eagles’ third cog on offense behind Kam Jones and David Joplin.

Ben Gold, Marquette: How will the Golden Eagles replace Oso Ighodaro? This guy is a pretty good place to start. The 6-11 Gold is a different type of big man than Ighodaro, but has been a part of Marquette’s rotation for each of the past two years when it’s earned a two seed in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. Smooth and skilled, Gold’s face-up game will be on display for Shaka Smart and the Golden Eagles.

Nick Martinelli, Northwestern: The Wildcats were 9-3 last season in games where Martinelli scored in double figures. Could he emerge in 2024-25 as a bonafide secondary scoring option behind Brooks Barnhizer? If he does, a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance may within reach for Northwestern.

John Blackwell, Wisconsin: With Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr no longer in Madison, the Badgers need a go-to scoring option on the perimeter. That’s where Blackwell comes into the equation. He averaged 8.0 points and shot a blistering 45.5 percent from three-point range last season as a freshman and boasts All-Big Ten caliber potential as a sophomore.

Alex Condon, Florida: The Gators’ staff did a tremendous job evaluating the 6-11 Condon, who averaged 7.7 points and 6.4 rebounds in 20.3 minutes last season as a freshman. This kid could become a focal point in Florida’s frontcourt during the upcoming season.

Jaland Lowe, Pitt: Stardom is on the horizon for the 6-3 Lowe, who shined a year ago (9.6 points, 3.3 assists) as the Panthers came up just short of the NCAA Tournament. With Blake Hinson and Bub Carrington no longer in the 412, Pitt is now Lowe’s team. You should have bought stock a long time ago.

Jeremy Fears, Michigan State: Tom Izzo has high hopes for Fears, who he’s already compared to Mateen Cleaves at point guard. Even though he only appeared in 12 games last season, Fears showed his ability as he had 10 assists to just one turnover in 21 minutes against Stony Brook on Dec. 21st. The Spartans need Fears to quickly emerge into one of the top floor generals in the Big Ten.

Xavier Booker, Michigan State: Like Fears, Booker has to emerge into a consistent producer if Michigan State is going to keep pace in the Big Ten standings. A former five-star prospect, the 6-11 Booker struggled to adapt to college basketball as a freshman, only averaging 3.7 points and 1.7 rebounds a year ago. The Spartans likely need him to triple those averages in 2024-25.

Leftovers