As the 2021-22 SEC Basketball season is now officially in full swing, there is one thing, in particular, that is becoming clearer and clearer day-by-day – breakout players.
About a month ago, I wrote about six potential breakout players within the SEC this season, as well as the potential role that each could possibly play with their teams.
While it is obviously still way too early in the 2021-22 season to look at the overall sample size for these players to say if they’ve truly had a breakout season, there are five players in particular who have already shown that they are well on their way to a breakout campaign.
Here is a look at those five, starting with one of the most-impactful players so far for the defending SEC champions.
5. G Darius Miles – Alabama Crimson Tide
While defending SEC Champion Alabama is off to an impressive start to the season due to numerous contributors up-and-down their roster, there are arguably none that stick out more than Miles. A now sophomore, Miles currently ranks fourth for the Crimson Tide in scoring at 10.3 PPG, while also averaging 3 RPG on 17 MPG as a key member of the Alabama bench.
While there has obviously been an uptick in minutes for Miles compared to a year ago, the 6’6 guard has been the most impressive through his three-point shooting as Miles is currently shooting 54.5% from deep (6-for-11) across Alabama’s first four games. Already well on his way to a breakout 2021-22 season, Miles’ role within the deep Alabama rotation will only continue to grow from here on as an impactful member of the Crimson Tide bench.