NCAA Basketball: 20 breakout candidates for 2016-17

12. Kyron Cartwright (Providence)

Without point guard Kris Dunn and forward Ben Bentil, the Providence Friars will be heavily reliant upon Rodney Bullock, Jalen Lindsey and Kyron Cartwright both on the floor and in the locker room.

While Bullock is likely to lead the team in scoring, Cartwright will be the program’s most valuable player in 2016-17.

He will be given the keys to Providence’s offense after averaging 5.9 points, 4.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per night last season. Cartwright will never be a “scorer” and needs to become more efficient (36 percent from field and 36 percent from three point line), but he has incredible speed and quickness.

This is important because Providence doesn’t have the players necessary to create offense in the half court. If Cartwright can get the Friars out and running (similar to what he did when he came off the bench last season), Providence can capitalize with some easy baskets and wear their opponents down.

Beyond his speed, the 5’11” point guard from Compton, CA is a instinctual passer, makes solid decisions and can hit open jump shots from the perimeter and mid-range. His penetration, ability to operate in pick-and-roll situations and knack for getting in the lane will create open shots for his teammates on the perimeter.

Although the junior doesn’t have the size and length to switch defensively, Cartwright is a pest who can pressure the basketball all night long.

The Friars are likely to finish at the bottom of the Big East, but Ed Cooley always seems to do more with less. Without a single senior on the roster, things are looking up for the Friars with Cartwright at the helm.