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 Loren Orr/Getty Images /

G Ameka Akaya, Air Force

Anybody has the potential to be a breakout player for the Air Force Falcons. Most of their best players aren’t returning next season, with A.J. Walker – who dipped his toes in the transfer portal – the only returning scorer who averaged more than ten points per game last season.

Ameka Akaya has struggled with injuries and a dearth of playing time throughout his Air Force career. He played in just 17 games last season, averaging 8.1 minutes per game. In his limited time, however, he scored 3.8 points per game, which isn’t much, but it’s more than Keaton Van Soelen averaged and Van Soelen played in nearly double the minutes per game.

The 𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 was given to @amekaakaya 📈

Ameka shooting splits were amongst the best on the team, shooting 53.2 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from three and 91.7 percent from the line. #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/v4HmRm6K54
— Air Force Men's Basketball (@AF_MBB) June 12, 2020

Whether Akaya will have a real chance to show his skills on the basketball court is an open question. Even when he made four starts as a sophomore, the guard has never averaged more than 11.0 minutes per game.

There will be a new coaching staff in place for Akaya’s senior season, though. Dave Pilipovich was fired after eight disappointing seasons as head coach. Joe Scott, who was head coach for Air Force from 2000 to 2004, is back in the saddle. Perhaps the change in leadership and a fresh set of eyes will give Akaya a chance to thrive in his final collegiate season.