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Big Ten Basketball: 5 early breakout candidates to watch for 2023-24 season

By Tommy McGowan

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Derek Simpson #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Derek Simpson #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images /

Derek Simpson, G, Rutgers

After a late-season collapse cost them a trip to the NCAA Tournament this past spring, Rutgers is in the midst of an offseason full of questions. They haven’t been hit as hard by transfers as others in the league, but are awaiting two crucial NBA Draft decisions from big man Cliff Omoruyi and guard Paul Mulcahy. Omoruyi seems the more likely to leave of the pair, but there remains a chance Mulcahy calls it a career in Piscataway, and opens the door for a new playmaker to emerge in the backcourt.

That playmaker may end up being Derek Simpson, who put together an impressive freshman campaign in 2022-23. He was able to carve out a nice role coming off the bench, appearing in 34 games and playing over 20 minutes per game. Simpson proved to be a capable scorer, but it was his defense that earned him attention as a true frosh. Now that Caleb McConnell is moving on, the Scarlet Knights will need a disruptive perimeter force to lead the way on defense, and it feels like Simpson can take over that role.

With that being said, I remain curious whether there’s another level Simpson can reach offensively. He didn’t shoot the ball very well at all, but that’s not particularly shocking as a freshman in the Big Ten. Even though the shooting touch didn’t develop in his debut season, Simpson still proved he could find ways to score, and strong numbers at the free throw line bode well for his future. Having sharpshooting wing Cam Spencer alongside him should help open up lanes to the hoop for the youngster and accelerate his development in 2023-24.

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