Busting Brackets
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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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

G Elijah Joiner, Tulsa

If the name Elijah Joiner sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the name of one of college basketball’s best viral stars of the 2019-20 season. Beneath an emotional moment, however, is a pretty good basketball player.

As a junior, Joiner continued the steady improvement he’s been experiencing throughout his collegiate career. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He also shot 39.8 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three-point range.

Entering his senior season, Joiner is in line for a larger role on Frank Haith’s squad. There will be more minutes available with Igbanu and Lawson Korita departing. Additionally, Joiner will be one of four seniors on the roster and will be expected to be a leader who imparts his wisdom on the younger players in the program.

Joiner wasn’t a highly-sought recruit back in 2016. He had an offer from Mizzou, but the rest of his offers were from small or comparable schools to Tulsa. Yet Joiner worked hard throughout his collegiate career to become a solid all-around player.

The 2020-21 season will be his final one in college. Expect him to break out and leave it all on the court, as he did against Wichita State in February.