Busting Brackets
Fansided

AAC Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

By Holden Walter-Warner

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Boogie Ellis #23 passes during the Jordan Brand Classic boys high school all-star basketball game at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Boogie Ellis #23 passes during the Jordan Brand Classic boys high school all-star basketball game at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images /

F Kevin Zhang, Tulane

Recently, the Tulane Green Wave has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. TeShaun Hightower, one of the biggest program stars in recent history, has been charged with murder, casting a dark shadow over Ron Hunter’s program.

In their first year under Hunter, Tulane showed some promising signs but still sagged to a 4-14 finish in AAC play, the worst in the conference. With several losses hitting the program, the Green Wave are going to need contributions from whoever is ready to step up.

Forward Kevin Zhang is going to be allowed to sink or swim as an impact player. The Chinese native saw his play step back a bit in his sophomore season, with his scoring average dropping from 6.5 to 5.1 points per game. His rebounding and assist averages also declined along with his minutes, though his field goal and three-point shooting percentage both saw upticks.

Outside of Jordan Walker, Zhang will be the team’s most prolific returning scorer next season, though he’ll be joined in the frontcourt by Pittsburgh graduate transfer Ryan Murphy. Zhang is a former three-star recruit who had offers from the likes of UCLA and BYU. His junior season is his chance to show why he was worthy of such lofty offers as a high school recruit.