WCC Basketball: Top 10 Sophomores for 2018-19

By Connor Hope | Jul 30, 2018

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 05: Zach Norvell Jr. #23 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against the San Francisco Dons during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 23: Tahirou Diabate /

With such a young squad returning from the 2017-18 season, it should be no surprise that the Portland Pilots have multiple players on this list of top sophomores. One such player is 6’9” forward Tahirou Diabate, who leads all returners on the team in two-point field goal percentage and rebounding.

Since the Pilots’ longtime anchor Philipp Hartwich has graduated, they will need another player to fill the void in the paint. While Diabate is not quite as tall as Hartwich is ability and effort as a big should allow him to take a bigger role on the team this season.

With Saint Mary’s losing its incredibly strong core, Coach Randy Bennett will be leaning on the play of some key newcomers to keep the Gaels competitive. Perhaps the most important addition to the roster comes in the form of Malik Fitts, a wing who transferred from South Florida where he averaged 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds.

One thing Fitts will need to do is improve his shooting efficiency. His 33% from deep is acceptable, but his sub-40% from the floor will not be acceptable in Bennet’s system. If he can do this, his size and strength should add some versatility to the Gaels’ roster.