NCAA Basketball: Top 25 breakout sophomore players for 2020-21 season

24. Dajaun Gordon – Kansas State Wildcats

2019-20 stats: 6.3 ppg and 3.4 rpg

Cartier Diarra’s decision to transfer to Virginia Tech leaves Kansas State with no one returning that averaged more than 7.0 ppg. The team has eight newcomers to the roster who’ll need to all step but the most likely player to lead them in scoring will be Gordon. The 6’4 guard was inserted into the starting lineup in league play and had three of his six double-digit scoring games.

23. Justin Champagnie – Pittsburgh Panthers

2019-20 stats: 12.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg

Few outside of Pittsburgh may even know that the freshman forward led the team in both scoring and rebounding last season. But between the underwhelming performances of both the guards and frontcourt players, Champagnie’s play kept the Panthers competitive in the ACC. That includes season-high performances of 30 points against Georgia Tech and 17 rebounds versus Syracuse. Expect Champagnie’s name to be much more known as a sophomore.

22. Drew Timme – Gonzaga Bulldogs

2019-20 stats: 9.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg

Even though he played behind WCC Player of the Year Filip Petrusev, Timme still found a way to be all-conference caliber in his own right, including going for 20 points and 10 rebounds on the road at Saint Mary’s. From a talent standpoint, Timme is an old-school kind of frontcourt player who is fantastic in the post on both ends. His ranking is lower only due to being a projected backup once again but Petrusev does decide to remain in the NBA Draft, Timme would vault up to top-3 instantly.