NCAA Basketball: Top 25 breakout sophomores to watch for 2023-24 season

Between the veteran transfers coming in and taking time away and the fact that many top-tier freshmen players go pro after one year, it’s hard to identify who the next “breakout” star will be in NCAA Basketball. It’s usually the sophomores who after waiting their time, get increased minutes and as a result, produce at a high level.

There still are those who will be in a position to do that this upcoming season. Between guys set to start and get key roles or those on track to explode statistically, expect some second-year players to have big individual campaigns. Here’s a look at the top-25 sophomores to have one “breakout watch”.

*Players have to average fewer than 10 ppg to be eligible and had to have played in the 2022-23 season

Honorable Mention: Tarris Reed – Michigan Wolverines

With Hunter Dickinson gone, it’s an opportunity for Reed to take over and start. The former top-40 prospect averaged a double-double per 40 minutes he’s also very foul-prone, with six fouls committed a game (only get 5 before fouling out). If Reed can stay on the court, he’ll have a nice campaign.

HM: Yohan Traore – UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos

The former five-star prospect didn’t play at Auburn but now moves down to the Big West, playing for a consistent contender. Traore will replace both Miles Norris and Andre Kelly in the frontcourt, both of whom were previous power conference players themselves.

HM: Terrance Arceneaux – Houston Cougars

Arceneaux produced 3.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 14 mpg off the bench as a freshman, shooting 37% from the field overall. The issue with projecting a bigger role is that Houston added two elite transfers this offseason in LJ Cryer and Damian Dunn. The team will have plenty of depth in the backcourt with Arceneaux but it might be another year before he takes off.