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

7. Adem Bona – UCLA Bruins

2022-23 season stats: 7.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg

Not only was Bona the Pac-12 Rookie of the Year last season but he also made the all-defensive team as well. The 6’10 center blocked nearly two shots a game and also shot 68% from the field, including eight double-digit scoring games. He’s the lone starter coming back for UCLA, which is filled with a number of international newcomers. It’s the chance for Bona to really break out on both ends this season.

6. Braden Smith – Purdue Boilermakers

2022-23 season stats: 9.7 ppg and 4.4 apg

The All-Big Ten freshman guard started all 35 games and had some huge performances, including 20 points against Marquette in just his third NCAA Basketball outing. Smith later went for a season-high 24 points against Iowa as well. He hit a wall in the final weeks of last season and needs to be more consistent in his scoring production but if Smith takes another step in his development, Purdue could be the team to beat.

5. Riley Kugel – Florida Gators

2022-23 season stats: 9.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg

The 6’5 guard shot 46% from the field and 38% from three-point range while starting 17 games last season. Once he became a full-time starter (and Colin Castleton got injured), Kugel became a focal point of the offense, scoring 10 straight double-digit scoring games at the end. One of them included a 24-point outing versus Kentucky. The Gators have a few talented mid-major transfers joining the roster but look for Kugel to be front and center this season.