NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 10 sophomore breakout candidates entering 2024-25 season

Xavier Booker, Michigan State Spartans

Shifting focus toward the frontcourt in East Lansing, Xavier Booker is another Michigan State Spartan who expects to take that second-year jump under Tom Izzo. Booker, a former five-star recruit, was seldomly used last season, averaging a modest 3.7 PPG in less than 10 minutes of action. 

A crucial reason for why Booker didn't see the court often was his raw, not-so-physical frame. A year ago, he came into East Lansing at 205 pounds. Now, according to MSU’s athletic website, he is listed at 240 pounds. Holy smokes.

With Mady Sissoko transferring to California, more consistent frontcourt minutes will open up for the big man. At 6-foot-11 with the ability to score at all three levels, the upside in Booker is far more enticing compared to Sparty’s other frontcourt options. The bottom line, Xavier Booker has all the makings for a breakout sophomore season.

Paulius Murauskas, Saint Marys Gaels

Paulius Murauskas, a 6-foot-8 forward from Lithuania, played a limited role at Arizona last season despite having high expectations. Before arriving in Tucson, Murauskas averaged over 20 PPG in the FIBA U18 European Championship in the summer of 2022.

The issue with Murauskas last season was his lack of a position. According to Tommy Lloyd, Murauskas was primarily used on the perimeter in the summer/fall before being placed in the frontcourt during the season. As a freshman, this can certainly cause a learning curve, especially when playing with Caleb Love in the backcourt and Oumar Ballo in the frontcourt.

Now off to Saint Mary’s, Paulius Murauskas will look to refine his versatile skillset under Randy Bennett. With Joshua Jefferson off to Iowa State and Alex Ducas out of eligibility, minutes at the forward spot are open, spelling a perfect opportunity for Murauskas to have a breakout sophomore campaign in Moraga.