Nate Calmese, Washington State Cougars
2024-25 season stats: 20 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.8 APG
From a stellar freshman campaign at Lamar to seldom-used at Washington, it was a complete 180-degree turn for the worse for Nate Calmese. Now it looks like those woes are behind him. Calmese has been a noteworthy bright spot for first-year HC David Riley, averaging 20 PPG on 52.6% shooting from the field, including a 27-point night in its narrow loss to Iowa in Moline, Illinois.
On a new-look team that will sit in the WCC this season, there were plenty of question marks with Washington State basketball entering the 2024-25 season. But with Calmese delivering at the rate he is, the upside may be higher than initially expected in Pullman.
Tae Davis, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2024-25 season stats: 16.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG
Tae Davis, the younger brother of Ole Miss’ Dre Davis, has gotten off to a surprising, yet spectacular, start for the Irish, who stand at 3-0 on the young season after a dominant road victory over Georgetown on Saturday.
Davis, who had his best game of the season versus Buffalo after erupting for a career-high 27 points, is averaging 16.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG in its first three games. Tae Davis was a key piece on a young Notre Dame squad last season. Given his scoring uptick in 2024-25, Micah Shrewsberry’s club has palpable buzz as it eyes a big-time second-year jump.