The term “breakout player” gets thrown around often in the sports world. Many times, it is used too often, which sometimes causes it to lose meaning. Everyone seems to have their own definition of the term as well. To me, in College Basketball, that term should refer to players who haven’t had the opportunity to reach their potential and/or produce at this level. That has become harder over the past few years, with rosters all over the country being much older, the extra year afforded by Covid, and the doing away with transfers having to sit out. We all know who the big names like RJ Davis and Mark Sears are coming into the year. Here’s a look at three players in the P5/Multi-bid level who have a golden opportunity not only for themselves but for their programs. This is the first of my three part series on break out players in college basketball!
Chandler Jackson, G, Jr, Florida State
Last Year: 14 mpg, 5 ppg
’24-’25 Projection: 28 mpg, 13 ppg, 2 apg
Jackson enters the year with plenty of opportunities to not only break out but also put Florida State back on the college basketball map. The shine on the Seminoles program and longtime coach Leonard Hamilton has started to fade over the last few years. This roster only has one proven stud in Jamir Watkins, but Jackson has an opportunity to play Robin to Watkin’s Batman role. At 6’5″, Jackson possesses a two-way ability, as we got to see glimpses of his potential last year when he dropped 19 against Boston College and 17 versus Virginia last February.
TJ Power, F, So, Virginia
Last Year: 7 mpg, 2 ppg (Duke)
’24-’25 Projection: 26 mpg, 11 ppg, 5 rpg, 35% 3pt
Power found it tough to find playing time amongst an elite frontcourt as a true freshman at Duke last year. Now, he finds his way to a program in Virginia that is starved for offensive output from its frontcourt. Power was a consensus national Top 20 recruit last summer who can run the floor and knock down outside shots at 6’8″. He shouldn’t have a hard time racking up numbers as long as he can hold up on the defensive end under Coach Tony Bennett’s “Pack Line” scheme.
Chase Ross, G, Jr, Marquette
Last Year: 22 mpg, 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 spg
’24-’25 Projection: 28 mpg, 11 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 spg, 35% 3pt
Last year’s Big East Player of the Year, Tyler Kolek, is a professional now, which opens the door for Ross to step into a big-time role. His game won’t replace what Kolek brought to the program, as they have very contrasting styles of play, but expect Ross to be a key piece on a Marquette squad that projects to be a mainstay in the Top 25. Already one of the top defensive guards in the Big East, Ross should see that 14% usage rate on the offensive end bump up close to 20%.