Atlantic 10 Basketball: 6 potential breakout stars for 2022-23 season

Erik Reynolds: Guard, Saint Joe’s Hawks

The Hawks are coming off of a tough 2021-2022 season and could be in for another one this time around, but they do have an X-factor in Sophomore PG Erik Reynolds that could allow them to surprise in the A10 standings. Reynolds was a highly-anticipated recruit heading into last season, and he did not disappoint expectations.

Though the team struggled overall, he put up 12.1 points and a couple of assists and rebounds per game on efficient shooting numbers, and the all-rookie team member caught fire over the team’s last thirteen games, eclipsing the 16-point mark on eight separate occasions.

The supporting cast this year, at least on the offensive side of the ball, likely won’t be quite what it was last year when the team featured more known quantities like Jordan Hall and Taylor Funk, but Reynolds will undoubtedly have certain nights where he generates enough offense on his own to steal a victory. He won’t be completely alone out there; Ejike Obinna is one of the better big men in the league and there are some solid peripheral wing shooters on the roster, but the load that he’ll be asked to carry may well lead to an average of 16 to18 points per game.

Reynolds will probably have certain games where he can’t find it and that, combined with his volume shooting, could lead to some particularly tough showings, but in the end, he’s too talented to take any opportunities away from. If the team does somehow end up towards the middle of the standings, he should be a lock for an all-conference spot.