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

9. Tyson Etienne – Wichita State Shockers

2019-20 stats: 9.4 ppg and 2.1 rpg

The transfer departures of both Erik Stevenson and Jamarius Burton puts a ton of pressure on Etienne to have a leading role for the Shockers. The 6’1 guard shot better from three-point range (39%) than from two (35%) but with over five attempts a game from deep, Wichita State will live with it. If Etienne, along with UConn grad transfer Alterique Gilbert can become great passers and facilitate the offense, the Shockers will be a pleasant surprise in the AAC.

8. N’Faly Dante – Oregon Ducks

2019-20 stats: 5.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg

Academic ineligibility and an ankle issue limited the former five-star recruit to just 12 games but even then, Dante showed superstar potential. The Ducks had plenty of frontcourt depth but no one broke out from the bunch last season. With the rotation thinner and Dante expected to be healthy and ready to go, look for him to emerge as one of the best bigs in all of the Pac-12.

7. Yvan Ouedraogo – Nebraska Cornhuskers

2019-20 stats: 5.7 ppg and 6.3 rpg

The Frenchman forward’s raw talent made him a potential redshirt candidate as a freshman but the 6’9 center’s natural strength and instincts were a pleasant surprise. Ouedraogo led the Cornhuskers in rebounding in just 21 mpg and with a more polished offensive game, can be an All-Conference frontcourt star. But his development would also help with better surrounding talent as well. Evident by the 19-rebound performance against Northwestern, this is a player who can eventually lead the Big Ten in rebounding.