Big West Basketball: Top 5 rising sophomores for 2018-19

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament between the Santa Clara Broncos and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 77-68. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images /

4. Edon Maxhuni, Long Beach

Long Beach 49ers have a couple sophomores returning that have an opportunity to raise their profile in 2018-19. Guard Edon Maxhuni is one player to keep an eye for the 49ers. He started in 15 of their 33 contests as a freshman.

Maxhuni averaged 6.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 38.6 percent (34-for-88) from 3-point range. As a starter, Maxhuni raised his status a bit as well. He produced 8.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting 41.8 percent from behind the arc.

He put up a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting (66.7 percent) back on Feb. 15. Maxhuni drained four 3-pointers against the UCSB Gauchos in an 80-70 loss. By season’s end, he posted nine games where he posted double-figures in scoring. He had four games in a row where he scored in double figures as well.

Maxhuni should emerge as one of the 49ers top 3-point shooting threats in 2018-19. He made more 3-point field goals (35) than 2-point field goals (34) in 2017-18.