Mountain West Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

BOISE, ID - JANUARY 18: Guard Brock Miller #22 of the Utah State Aggies is pressured towards the baseline by guard RayJ Dennis #10 of the Boise State Broncos during second half action at ExtraMile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game in overtime 88-83. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images /

F Dischon Thomas, Colorado State

The Colorado State Rams are in good hands in their backcourt. Both of their young starting guards proved to be stars and building blocks for the future last season. Now, the team needs to find the same depth and star-caliber in the frontcourt to take the next step.

Dischon Thomas did not play much as a freshman. The Phoenix native managed to get into 32 games but averaged just 9.6 minutes per game in those contests. He averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 65.3 percent from the field.

When given the opportunity, Thomas showed that he was more than his minuscule minutes. In a season-high 18 minutes against Utah Valley, he dropped a season-high 18 points. He scored 13 points in a win over San Jose State late in the season. He even held his own against the unstoppable San Diego State Aztecs in February, scoring nine points in a tight loss.

Despite playing less than ten minutes per game as a freshman, Thomas is in line to start at center in 2020-21. The one-time Nevada commit is in line to be a key reason why the Rams either sink or swim next season – expect him to rise to meet the moment.