Reaching the NBA is in a lot of ways about timing. The potential college basketball superstars are drafted at the top but after that the decisions usually come down to talent available at each position, team needs and how strong a player looked the previous season. There are a number of prospects that are on the bubble heading in to this year as they have plenty of talent but need to have strong seasons in order to get back on NBA radars. Here is a look at the five college basketball players entering make or break seasons.
PG: Melo Trimble, Maryland Terrapins
Junior
Trimble made a splash with an extremely productive freshman year at Maryland but he took a step backward a year ago when his flaws were exposed. Trimble’s lack of pure size and athleticism were the main drawbacks, but the 6’2’’ point guard also struggled with his shooting as his three-point percentage dropped from 41.2 to 31.4 while his field goal percentage dropped from 38 to 29.7-percent. Trimble then capped off a disappointing season with an underwhelming performance at the combine. There is no doubt about his potential and the talent he flashed in his freshman year, but Trimble is entering a make or break season with one last chance to prove he deserves a shot in the NBA. We’ll see how far both him and Maryland go in the ACC this season as he has a chance to really help or hurt his stock for the 2017 NBA Draft.
PF/C: Kennedy Meeks, Kentucky Wildcats
Senior
Meeks’ inability to establish his self as a force at Kentucky has had to do with injuries and the fact that he has been outplayed by his teammates. The combination of a knee injury and playing behind the explosive Brice Johnson limited him last year and he failed to receive an invite to the combine. There is no doubt that the talent and raw ability is there but Meeks to be more efficient and prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. The 6’9’’, 265-pound big man will have another chance to show what he can do in his senior season.
SF: Malik Pope, San Diego State Aztecs
Junior
At 6’10’’, 205 pounds and with incredible athleticism, Pope undoubtedly has the potential to be a star. However, consistency has been a major issue for the wing from San Diego State and he has been one of the college basketball players that has failed to live up to breakout expectations a year ago. Pope has decent three-point range and he showed confidence in his jumper as his sophomore year progressed but he needs to be more assertive. Urgency will be among the keys to him being one of the college basketball players bouncing back in a make or break season.
C: Amida Brimah, Connecticut Huskies
Senior
Brimah flashed his potential during Connecticut’s national championship season in 2014 but he was relatively quiet last year and there are obvious question marks about where he stands. The 7’0’’, 230-pound big man owns a 7’6’’ wingspan that is a big reason why he has the potential to be an elite defender under the basket but he will need more touches at the offensive end of the floor as he tries to prove that he isn’t too soft. Brimah has all of the tools to be a first round pick and all eyes will be on the Huskies’ starting center to see if he can bounce back in 2016.
SF: Devin Robinson, Florida Gators
Junior
Robinson’s 6’8’’ size, athleticism and quickness give him the appearance of a forward that could potentially thrive in the NBA but he has to show there is more to his game than just the athletic tools in order to get the opportunity that he is seeking. He former top-25 recruit averaged just nine points and one three-point shot per game in his sophomore season and he will need to improve his three-point shooting in order to make his game more well-rounded. Robinson can guard both forward positions and be a force in transition on offense but his pure shooting and consistency need to improve for him to capitalize on this make or break season that he is entering.
