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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F Zane Meeks, Nevada

If Nevada is going to go anywhere in 2020-21, Zane Meeks better break out. Not only is he their potential breakout player, but the rising sophomore may very well be their best-returning player as well.

When Jalen Harris declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, the entire trajectory of the Wolf Pack changed. They went from a team that could contend for a Mountain West crown to a team that will almost surely be sitting outside of the NCAA Tournament picture again. That’s why the development of Meeks is so crucial.

As a freshman, the forward demonstrated plenty of potential. He averaged 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, becoming a consistent weapon on the offensive end. Meeks even demonstrated a decent proclivity from range, hitting 36.4 percent of his threes.

Consistency was an occasional issue for the Kansas native, though. In his last four games of the season, he failed to score more than five points at any time. His last game of the season, a Mountain West Tournament upset at the hands of Wyoming, featured Meeks taking just two shots (missing both) and grabbing a single rebound.

Meeks is also going to need to be more physical on the inside. He committed 53 fouls but attempted just 12 free throws all season.