Approaching the start of the 2025-26 season, everyone is on the hunt to find the next group of stars in college basketball. They can be either incoming freshmen, transfers seeking new roles at a new stop or returning rotation pieces set for more playing time with the veterans now gone.
This series is about the “breakout” players to watch for the upcoming season, starting with the ACC. The following players are not only set for larger roles and increased production as a result, but also for a greater national spotlight.
*Players must have averaged fewer than 11 points per game to qualify.
1. Isaiah Evans, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard, Duke
2024-25: 6.8 points, 13.8 minutes per game
Evans is a former 5-star prospect who was in and out of the lineup as a freshman last year. But when he was on the court, Evans showed flashes of stardom. That included 18 points in a win over Auburn on 6 of 8 shooting from deep, along with a four-game stretch of 16+ points. With a larger role expected, look for Evans to be an offensive focal point for the Blue Devils.
2. Jaeden Mustaf, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, Georgia Tech
2024-25: 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 24 minutes per game
Mustaf was the sixth man for the Yellow Jackets last season, but with all three guards ahead of him gone, the former top-50 prospect has the chance to play a primary role this year. He’ll have to improve his efficiency, as Mustaf only shot 39 percent from the field, but he did have nine double-digit scoring outings despite being the fourth option at times.
3. Terrance Arceneaux, 6-foot-5 senior guard, NC State
2024-25: 6.5 points, 20 minutes per game (Houston)
Playing behind one of the best backcourts in the nation limited Arceneaux’s production, but he was still effective off the bench for Houston, including 12 games of at least 10 points. He’s now at NC State, where the backcourt lacks a clear star perimeter player. That presents an excellent opportunity for Arceneaux, a legit senior breakout candidate to watch.
4. Patrick Ngongba, 6-foot-11 sophomore center, Duke
2024-25: 3.9 points, 2.7 rebounds,10.5 minutes per game
Ngongba was the third center in Duke’s rotation last season, but with top-10 NBA Draft pick and 7-foot-2 star center Khaman Maluach now gone, he could very well start this season. He’ll still be in a timeshare with senior center Maliq Brown, but Ngongba showed he can be highly effective when given time on the floor, including 12 points on 6 of 6 shooting in an ACC Tournament win over North Carolina.
5. Samet Yigitoglu, 7-foot-2 sophomore center, SMU
2024-25: 10 points, 6.2 rebounds, 24.5 minutes per game
The Turkish big man demonstrated why he was one of the top international newcomers a year ago and proved to be an effective first-year player. Yigitoglu posted three double-doubles, along with a 20-point outing on the road at NC State.
6. Brandin Cummings, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, Pitt
2024-25: 6.3 points,16 minutes per game
Cummings played behind a trio of all-league guards last season, but injuries allowed him to get minutes at times. His best game was a 30-point performance in a win over Eastern Kentucky. Based on the newcomers to the Panthers’ roster, the sophomore has the chance to be a focal point this season and a candidate to lead them in scoring.
7. Tru Washington, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Miami
2024-25: 11 points, 4.0 rebounds, 28 minutes per game (New Mexico)
Yes, Washington had a reasonably large role with the Lobos last season. He was still in the shadow of Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent, however. Washington has now joined Miami and its completely rebuilt roster, with a chance of being the top offensive threat. If he can put up 11 points a game next to Dent, what is he capable of with the ball in his hands?
8. Chison Okpara, 6-foot-8 senior forward, Stanford
2024-25: 6.5 points, 16 minutes per game
Okpara averaged more than 16.5 points per game at Harvard in 2023-24. He took a backseat role in his first year at Stanford, coming off the bench and scoring at less than half his previous rate, but with the Cardinal’s top three scorers gone, look for him to be a focal point this time around. Okpara showed he can hang at the ACC level, shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 46 percent from deep on 40 attempts last season. Expect his usage to take a significant leap in the near future.
9. Jarin Stevenson, 6-foot-11 junior forward, North Carolina
2024-25: 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 19 minutes per game (Alabama)
Stevenson was caught in a frontcourt logjam at Alabama, but still showed flashes of being an all-league performer. His breakthrough performance included a 22-point outing on the road at Texas. He’s part of a new-look frontcourt at UNC and should see a larger role this season since he can play both inside positions.
10. Chris Bell, 6-foot-7 senior forward, Cal
2024-25: 9.3 points, 21.5 minutes per game (Syracuse)
Bell’s three years at Syracuse could best be described as “inconsistent.” He had 10 games of at least 20 points during his time there, including a 30-point outing as a sophomore against Louisville. There were also just as many games where he scored two or fewer points, as the sharpshooter’s role was constantly in flux. Cal, another team that lost all of its key talent this offseason, has no choice but to hand Bell the keys to the offense this season, which should allow him to put up some huge stats.
