The SEC has a case for being the most difficult high-major conference for a player to “break out,” due to an abundance of elite transfers and incoming 5-star prospects joining the league and assuming large roles out of the gate. Examples from last year include freshmen such as Tre Johnson (Texas), Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) and Asa Newell (Georgia). There are still players who are poised to elevate their game, however.
Here are 10 players who, on paper, have a real shot at being a breakout player in the SEC.
Note: Players must have averaged fewer than 11 points per game last season to qualify.
1. Labaron Philon, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, Alabama
2024-25: 10.6 points, 3.8 assists, 24.7 minutes per game
Philon had an excellent start to his freshman year, with eight games of 15+ points through his first 14 outings. He finished with 14 total, including a 21-point outing in an SEC Tournament win over Kentucky. Despite All-SEC guard Mark Sears having such a significant role in the offense, Philon still produced as a freshman; now, as the projected lead guard in the prolific Crimson Tide attack, look for Philon to be the conference’s next backcourt star.
2. Anthony Robinson, 6-foot-2 junior guard, Missouri
2024-25: 9.0 points, 3.5 assists, 23 minutes per game
Missouri lost a ton of guard production from last season, including the senior group of Tony Perkins, Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill. The lone returning starting is Robinson, who led the team in passing while shooting better than 48 percent from the field. The junior playmaker can also put the ball in the basket, as evidenced by a 29-point performance against Cal. Now, as the clear lead guard, look for Robinson to be a focal point of the offense.
3. Thomas Haugh, 6-foot-9 junior forward, Florida
2024-25: 9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 24.4 minutes per game
Haugh was a standout for the national champs during the second half of last season, including seven games in which he scored at least 16 points off the bench. The versatile frontcourt player tied his season high with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the Elite Eight victory over Texas Tech and the Red Raiders’ elite frontcourt. With Florida returning most of its stable of forwards, Haugh’s role may not see a significant increase, but given his talent alone, he should make a run at All-SEC contention.
4. Jayden Quaintance, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward, Kentucky
2024-25: 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 29.5 minutes per game (Arizona State)
Quaintance was the youngest player in all of college basketball last year and still was an impactful player as a freshman at the Big 12 level. Nine of his 24 games ended with at least four blocked shots, earning him league all-defensive honors. Due to his current recovery from an ACL tear, his health is a bit in question entering the 2025-26 campaign. But if back to 100 percent, Quaintance is a clear breakout candidate.
5. Simeon Wilcher, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Texas
2024-25: 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 25.4 minutes per game (St. John’s)
Between Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis and the ball-handling duo of Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith, Wilcher flew under the radar at St. John’s, even as a starter. He still produced in spurts, with four games of at least 15 points, including 16 in an overtime victory against Xavier. Wilcher is now at Texas, joining a roster without a ton of proven high-major production, setting the stage for a breakout campaign.
6. Somto Cyril, 6-foot-11 sophomore center, Georgia
2024-25: 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 14 minutes per game
Cyril is a former top-50 prospect who flashed during the non-conference schedule last season, including 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks against Grand Canyon. Between the step up to more challenging competition in the SEC and 5-star prospect Asa Newell being the clear focal point inside, Cyril’s impact diminished as the season went on. However, without any transfers joining the frontcourt, look for the sophomore center to emerge as a double-double threat on a nightly basis.
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7. Derrion Reid, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward, Oklahoma
2024-25: 6.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 14 minutes per game (Alabama)
A hamstring injury limited Reid severely during SEC play, but the former 5-star prospect was a consistent part of the rotation beforehand, including six double-digit scoring outings. There’s no longer any concern of a frontcourt logjam at Oklahoma, where the Sooners’ revamped roster opens an opportunity for Reid to play both inside positions.
8. Aiden Sherrell, 6-foot-10 sophomore forward, Alabama
2024-25: 3.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 8.8 minutes per game
Sherrell was part of Oklahoma’s frontcourt logjam, where he lined up alongside Reid and had an even more minor role. However, he did benefit when Reid was hurt, including a game that saw him post 10 points in 10 minutes against Florida’s elite frontcourt. With several frontcourt pieces from last season gone, Sherrell is a potential starter at the center position.
9. Kanon Catchings, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward, Georgia
2024-25: 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 17.4 minutes per game (BYU)
Catchings’ first year was the true definition of inconsistency at BYU, where he had four games of at least 17 points, along with seven games where he failed to log more than seven minutes. But the former top-40 prospect showed he can be a prolific shot-maker when given the green light, and he should get that opportunity with a Georgia squad that has lost its two top scorers.
10. Eduardo Klafke, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, Ole Miss
2024-25: 1.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, 9.9 minutes per game
The Rebels were one of the deepest teams in terms of its perimeter rotation last year. That makes it even more impressive that Klafke managed to earn minutes, even though he wasn’t part of the offensive focus. All of the guards ahead of him on the depth chart are gone, leaving Klafke with what should be a much larger role in his second year.
