NCAA Basketball: Top 25 breakout sophomores to watch for 2023-24 season
19. Amaree Abram – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2022-23 season stats: 8.0 ppg and 2.0 apg
The former top-100 prospect had his highs and lows last season at Ole Miss, though the highs included some big performances. Abram went for 26 points against Stanford on 12/18 shooting, along with 20 points versus South Carolina in the SEC conference tournament. He joins a Georgia Tech roster that returns most of its backcourt production, including starters Miles Kelly and Kyle Sturdivant. Look for Abram to still find a way to stand out for the Jackets.
18. Derek Simpson – Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2022-23 season stats: 7.1 ppg and 1.5 apg
Simpson managed to carve 20 mpg off the bench last season in a crowded backcourt that was filled with veterans. He did shoot just 37% from the field overall but when given extended minutes, the 6’3 guard was a double-digit scorer, including five in the last six games. Without Cam Spencer and Paul Mulcahy around, combined with all three incoming transfers for the team coming off of respective injuries, look for Simpson to be a lead guard for the Knights.
17. Kylan Boswell – Arizona Wildcats
2022-23 season stats: 4.6 ppg and 1.6 apg
The former top-50 prospect showed flashes of potential stardom last season, scoring 15 points against Oregon and 14 points back-to-back versus USC and UCLA on the road. Boswell shot 39% from deep and has multiple games of 3+ steals, even in limited minutes. With the additions of Caleb Love and Jaden Bradley, Boswell may be coming off the bench again but expect his impact to grow as a sophomore.