March Madness: 10 breakout player candidates in 2019 NCAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a three pointer against the Louisville Cardinals during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks leaps to the basket against the Texas Longhorns at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

2. Ochai Agbaji, Guard, Kansas Jayhawks

While this season has been mostly a disappointment for the Kansas Jayhawks, they still find themselves as a 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and that has been largely in part to some unexpected contributors.

What the Jayhawks lost in injuries and absences, they gained in newcomers. Past the five-star recruits and top transfers was one rising star, Ochai Agbaji.

Agbaji was a heavily under recruited freshman who had initially planned to red shirt. However, after just two games in conference play, Agbaji removed the redshirt, and has played very well ever since.

In his freshman season, the guard is averaging nine points and five rebounds per game. While losing LaGerald Vick certainly was a big loss, Agbaji’s play has been a big factor in limiting to damage caused by Vick’s absence.

Although Agbaji’s numbers don’t exactly jump off the screen, he has an affinity for making plays that don’t show up in the box score. His explosiveness and energy has proved to be a major catalyst for the Jayhawks this season, and that will carry over well into March.

The Jayhawks face a tough task in Northeastern in the first round, but with the help of Agbaji, they have what it takes to make a run past the Round of 32. Nobody really know who Agbaji is outside of the Big 12, but they’re about to find out.

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