The days of college basketball seniors being top NBA Draft prospects may be in the past, for the most part. But when it comes to programs and fan bases around the country looking for immediate success, seniors are still very much a vital piece of the college basketball landscape.
As we look at next season’s five potential breakout seniors, we see a list of players who have flashed moments of brilliance, even season long stretches of brilliance, but may be on the cusp of something much greater.
1.) Brice Johnson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Coming into last season, when people talked about UNC’s frontcourt, they were often referring to the potential of a climmed down Kennedy Meeks and the impact he could have for Roy Williams. After two solid, but somewhat pedestrian seasons in Chapel Hill, no one was really ready to call Johnson an impact player in the ACC. However, come the end of the year, one could argue that Johnson was Williams’ best player–his disappearance in the NCAA Tournament was concerning for UNC, but we’ll gloss over that for the purpose of this article.
Johnson is incredibly long, bouncy, and active, finding a role for himself on the pick and roll, as well as crashing the offensive glass with reckless abandon. With his emergence, the Tar Heels are a popular pick to win the national title, and Johnson could be a candidate for ACC Player of the Year honors, and so could some of his teammates.
2.) Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia Cavaliers
An All-ACC selection, Brogdon was prematurely thrust into UVA’s prime playmaking role when Justin Anderson got injured and failed to return to form late last season. With the lack of alternate threats for the Cavs, Brogdon struggled a bit, forcing the issue offensively instead of picking his spots, like he did with Anderson at full strength. With an offseason to mentally prepare for the work load he’s expected to have next season, we expect to see a much more effective Brogdon.
Right now, he has to be in the conversation for ACC Player of the Year, when discussing preseason favorites. Whether or not he can win the award will depend on him continuing to evolve as a creator and shot maker from beyond the arc.
3.) Tyrone Wallace, California Golden Bears
At the mid-point of last season, many people were touting Wallace as one of the top three or four point guards in America, thanks to his triple-threat ability: scoring, assisting, and rebounding. His efficiency ratings fell off as the year progressed, and it should be no surprise that with that, Cal faded from NCAA Tournament contention as well.
But averaging 17.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and four assists per game as a junior should have him in every single conversation about national point guard honors, and among the favorites for Pac-12 Player of the Year. When considering the scoring options he’ll be surrounded with next year, we expect his assist numbers to increase dramatically.
4.) Elgin Cook, Oregon Ducks
Playing alongside Joseph Young probably contributed to the fact that nearly no one around the country seemed ready to talk about Dana Altman’s talented wing. However, Cook should be given the bulk of the scoring load next season, and will look to improve on his 13 points, 5.4 rebounds per game. With the freedom that Altman gives his players on the offensive side of the ball, Cook should have no problem doing so.
5.) Gary Payton II, Oregon State Beavers
Another Pac-12 candidate here, and one that burst onto the national scene last season in helping the Beavers accomplish one of the country’s most surprising records. Payton II averaged 13.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game as a junior, and like Wallace, should have a bevy of offensive threats surrounding him during his final campaign. Payton II is also one of the best defensive guards in the country.
