Breakout stars are not exclusive to power conferences. This is especially true in the era of the transfer portal, as many formerly coveted prospects opt to move down to the mid-major ranks to increase their playing time opportunities. And some are old-fashioned returning players, primed to become more nationally recognized among college basketball fans.
While there are many candidates, here are the top 10 mid-major breakout candidates to watch, focusing on some of the more notable programs.
Note: Players must have averaged fewer than 11 points per game last season to qualify.
1. Amael L’Etang, 7-foot-1 sophomore forward, Dayton
2024-25: 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 16.8 minutes per game
The French forward had 15 double-digit scoring games last season, including 15 in an Atlantic 10 tournament loss to Saint Joseph’s. L’Etang is a very skilled playmaker and, with four of the Flyers’ top five scorers gone, is now set to be a focal point of the offense. If he can continue to stretch the floor (22 of 65 from deep last season), L’Etang’s production can skyrocket.
2. Magoon Gwath, 7-foot sophomore forward, San Diego State
2024-25: 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 24.9 minutes per game
As a true freshman, Gwath was not only the Mountain West Freshman of the Year, he also earned Defensive Player of the Year honors thanks to his 2.6 blocks per game. And while his offensive production was fairly inconsistent, Gwath showed he can put up some huge numbers, including 24 points against San Jose State and 25 points and 10 rebounds on the road at Fresno State. Not only can Gwath repeat as DPOY, he’s also a clear frontrunner for Player of the Year in the Mountain West.
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3. Mikey Lewis, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, Saint Mary’s
2024-25: 8.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 16 minutes per game
Lewis was the WCC Sixth Man of the Year as a freshman, thanks in large part to his combined 34 points off the bench in the two regular-season wins over Gonzaga. He also had 11 double-digit scoring games overall, including 23 versus Nebraska, and with starting guards Augustas Marciulionis and Jordan Ross both gone, Lewis is projected to become the next lead guard for the Gaels. History says that bodes well for whoever inherits that role.
4. Tyrone Riley, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard/forward, San Francisco
2024-25: 9.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 28.2 minutes per game
Riley had one of the best opening weeks for any freshman last year, scoring 26 points against Cal Poly and 28 versus Chicago State. His production was inconsistent afterward, but he still managed 16 double-digit scoring outings, including double-doubles against Pacific and Gonzaga. With the team’s top two scorers and forward Carlton Linguard Jr. gone, Riley is set to be a focal point of the Dons’ offense.
5. Sharron Young, 6-foot sophomore guard, Akron
2024-25: 7.4 points, 1.7 assists, 16 minutes per game
Throughout John Groce’s tenure as coach, Akron has consistently fielded one of the top backcourts in the MAC, and Young is expected to continue that tradition now that reigning conference Player of the Year Nate Johnson has transferred to Kansas State. Young was an all-league freshman who shot 40 percent from deep as a freshman while recording 12 games with at least 10 points, including 18 against Ball State. His role is set to take a giant leap, and assuming the efficiency remains high, Young can make his own case for MAC Player of the Year.
6. Brandon Jennings, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, VCU
2024-25: 2.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 13.1 minutes per game
There may have been fewer than 20 teams in the entire country with more guard depth than VCU last season, led by A-10 Player of the Year Max Shulga. So there was no shame in Jennings biding his time, coming off the bench as the fifth guard. In fact, the young guard showed signs of a breakout, including 12 points in the conference tournament win over St. Bonaventure. Jennings will have to improve on his 36-percent field-goal shooting, but on a new-look Rams roster, he has the chance to be an all-league starter.
7. Frederick King, 6-foot-10 senior center, Murray State
2024-25: 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 6.0 minutes per game (Creighton)
King has been a backup for his first three years in college basketball. However, when you’re playing behind one of the best big men in the sport — Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner — it’s going to be challenging to secure minutes. King is now set to be one of the best big men in the Missouri Valley as the clear starting big at Murray State. He’s off to a strong start, producing 23 points and 11 rebounds in one game of the Racers’ exhibition tour in August in the Bahamas.
8. Makaih Williams, 6-foot-1 junior guard, Grand Canyon
2024-25: 8.2 points, 2.4 assists, 24.2 minutes per game
Six of Grand Canyon’s top seven scorers departed after last season, including former WAC Player of the Year Tyon Grant-Foster. The one returning piece is Williams, a former conference Freshman of the Year who shot under 37 percent from the field but did post 14 double-digit scoring outings. One of them was a 31-point performance against Bryant in which he made 9 of 16 shots. Now in the Mountain West, look for the Antelopes to lean on Williams as their new go-to guy.
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9. Aaron Bradshaw, 7-foot junior forward, Memphis
2024-25: 6.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 16.9 minutes per game (Ohio State)
Memphis always has an elite big man in the Penny Hardaway era, with Dain Dainja being last year’s example. That places a lot of expectations on Bradshaw, a former 5-star prospect who started his career at Kentucky but has yet to have a breakthrough campaign. With little proven frontcourt depth on the roster, the talented big man will have plenty of chances to validate the hype out of high school.
10. Dylan Andrews, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Boise State
2024-25: 6.9 points, 3.4 assists, 24.8 minutes per game (UCLA)
Andrews has plenty of experience, starting 61 games in the last two seasons for the Bruins, including a career-high 13 points per game average in 2023-24. He’s set to be the lead guard at Boise, replacing Alvaro Cardenas, last year’s Mountain West assists leader. Look for Andrews to be one of the top guards in the conference as he assumes a much larger role on offense compared to last year.
