Busting Brackets
Fansided

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

By Holden Walter-Warner

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)
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 John McCoy/Getty Images
Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images /

G Richard Washington, San Jose State

Calling Richard Washington a “breakout” is questionable since he was already the second-best player on San Jose State last season. But the Spartans desperately need another star to emerge alongside Seneca Knight and no player is better positioned to make that leap than Washington.

As a junior, Washington finished second on San Jose State in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game while making 61 three-pointers, which led the team. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds per game, good for third on the Spartans.

There are clear areas of growth for the guard headed into his final collegiate season. For starters, he played just 23.3 minutes per game and came off the bench for three-quarters of the season. More playing time should lead to more shining time for Washington. Additionally, he came in as a JUCO transfer from Tallahassee College. If he was able to average double-digit scoring off the bench in his first taste of Division I basketball, the potential is there for much better things during his senior year.

Spartans fans may prove to be wistful that Washington didn’t find his way to San Jose State earlier in his career. They should be grateful for what Washington should provide next season as the Spartans look to try and finish .500 for the first time in ten years.