PAC-12 Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Joel Brown #1 of the California Golden Bears (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

California Golden Bears: Joel Brown

California Basketball had seven wins to eleven losses, none of those losses are as big as the two they have suffered prior to the 2020-21 season beginning. The loss of senior guards Paris Austin and Kareem South who ended 2019-20 as the second and third-leading scorers for the Golden Bears as they both averaged nine points a game.

Their losses are particularly concerning for Coach Mark Fox due to the Golden Bears being the worst offensive team in the PAC-12 with them. The addition of a pair of three-star freshmen is not the answer for Coach Fox’s offensive woes, whereas incoming Graduate Transfer Ryan Betley should become the second-leading scorer to add to 17 points per game by guard Matt Bradley.

To fill the void at guard, Mark Fox will be turning to Joel Brown, who he trusted in 17 starts last season. Brown was still developing physically during his first year as he added two inches and 10 pounds from the time he signed and now the signs point to 6’2 Brown replacing the production of Austin. During his 19 minutes of playing time, Brown had the lowest usage percentage on the team as he averaged just over two points and two assists.

The Golden Bears offense did not score much, but when they did, with Brown on the court it was because of him. Brown had the second-highest assist percentage, and the bump in minutes will see him not only replace Austin’s 2.7 assists per game in his breakout season but see him finish in the top five of the PAC-12.

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