The Big Ten certainly lacks pizzaz going into the 2024-25 basketball season, but plenty of players can become breakout stars this season. Sure, Purdue returns Braden Smith, who started to take off last season as the playmaker, setting up Zach Edey en route to a National Championship Game appearance. You can also bring up the ultimate talent pool haul that both Indiana and Ohio State were able to pull from the transfer portal. Not to mention the complete 180 that Michigan has made thus far under Dusty May.
All 18 teams in the Big Ten have some talent on their rosters. The real question is which of those players that haven’t quite gotten the national love, could become breakout players in 2024-25. For example, who saw Luka Garza or even Edey becoming National Player of the Year caliber when they each first arrived in college basketball? Let’s take a closer look at the top breakout candidates in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Breakout Players for 2024-25
Johnson Jr. Back To The Buckeyes
Meechie Johnson Jr. has played college ball for several seasons now. You might be questioning him becoming a breakout player, because of his bumpy career. He started at Ohio State in 2020-21 and only played 17 games. He wasn’t that big of a contributor. His second season was better, but it was by no means All-Big Ten caliber. That opened the door for Johnson to hit the portal and go to South Carolina. He was a double-digit scorer the last two seasons for the Gamecocks. Now under new head coach Jake Diebler, Johnson Jr. decided to come home. He’s back to try and lead the Buckeyes back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. There are plenty of other good candidates to break out on this year’s Ohio State team. Johnson Jr. brings experience, and depth to the guard spot, which has lacked a true leader since Malaki Branham during Johnson’s first tenure.
Jackson Shelstad Ready to Explode
The Oregon Ducks have a star in the making in their backcourt as well. Jackson Shelstad showed glimpses of his elite ability last season. He was terrific in an early season game against the Michigan Wolverines as a true freshman. That was a big stage, and he went out and made some clutch shots to lead the Ducks to a win. He doesn’t have some of his former running mates anymore, especially at guard with the graduation of Jermaine Couisnard. Still, Shelstad was born to be the go-to scorer no matter who or where he plays for. He certainly has the potential to break some hearts in the Big Ten this season. The Ducks are no pushover, and he wears a pretty good number, especially in Oregon history. Payton Pritchard was one heck of a shooter that also wore #3, and Coach Dana Altman may have struck gold again. Shelstad could be on par with Purdue’s Smith for the best point guard in the Big Ten this season. Time will tell.
Xavier Booker Ready to Take Next Step
The rumors about Tom Izzo’s demise might have been wrong. Sure his 2024-25 Michigan State squad isn’t breaking down the doors in the AP Preseason Rankings. Is any team in the Big Ten to start the year? One thing the Spartans have is youth and depth. Jaden Akins is still there, and they added Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala via the portal. The two freshman guards Jase Richardson and Kur Teng, look ready to contribute right away. The real factor will be what Xavier Booker does in 2024-25. You could say, he’s a real X-factor.
Tom Izzo prior to Practice 2 of the season today said Xavier Booker is now 22 pounds heavier than he was last March.
"We would like him to gain a little bit more," Izzo said. pic.twitter.com/vuF1QUAHEZ
— Jim Comparoni (@JimComparoni) September 24, 2024
Booker appeared to be oozing with confidence during the Spartans trip to Spain during the summer, and he was very much involved during their recent exhibition game against Northern Michigan. He’s a big that can stretch the floor on the offensive end of the floor. His three-point shooting is going to pay dividends for Izzo and company.
Purdue Big Men Continue to Thrive
The Boilermakers have the guard spot locked down with Smith. However, they still have to replace Edey, which is almost impossible. Say that to head coach Matt Painter, and he will do his best to find somebody. Purdue already has Trey Kaufmann-Renn who saw plenty of time last season alongside Edey. Given his experience, the Boilermakers will be looking to get the ball to him in the post. He however isn’t alone. When you think one seven-foot-plus monster is gone, more and more appear. Purdue once again has that with Will Berg, a redshirt freshman, and true freshman center Daniel Jacobsen. It further proves that if you want to succeed as a big man, you can go play for Painter. Berg and Jacobsen aren’t Edey, but they both have time to grow. It’s not like being seven-foot-two is an easy body to control. Whatever they are going to end up being, Kauffman-Renn has the room to become a breakout player, much like Trevion Williams or Caleb Swanigan before him.
The Big Ten has plenty of other interesting players, who could certainly shock the Big Ten and the country for that matter. Have you seen what Illinois has quietly built for itself? This league might be way too undervalued at the national level.
