While some of the biggest storylines in college basketball have centered around the star power coming back and new faces arriving, there are dozens of returning players who will elevate their game and become a household name this season.
The term “breakout star” is loosely used and there are many different ways to draw the line, but we’re going to identify players who were under the radar and weren’t in the top 75 of the CBS Sports Top 100 And 1 Players rankings, but could be by the end of the season.
Someone like Iowa’s Owen Freeman, who won Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season, could emerge as one of the best players in the country but isn’t on this list because of what he already accomplished his freshman season. The same can be said about new Georgetown guard Malik Mack, who had a standout season at Harvard and was routinely ranked in the top 10 of CBS Sports’ “Frosh Watch.”
Caleb Foster, who was the No. 83 player in our rankings, is the lone member of Duke’s 2023 recruiting class still with the program. The Blue Devils’ second-ranked recruiting class saw Jared McCain depart to the NBA and Sean Stewart (Ohio State) and TJ Power (Virginia) transfer. Sticking to the Tobacco Road theme, North Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau — our No.85 player and a former five-star in the 2023 recruiting class — should see his role grow next to returning All-American RJ Davis as the Tar Heels look to repeat as ACC regular-season champions.
Here are eight players poised to have a breakout season and will elevate their profile to “star” status.
Caleb Foster | G | Duke
2023-24 stats: 7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg
With McCain off to the NBA, Foster will have an opportunity to log more minutes. Duke’s starters haven’t been confirmed, but two of Sion James, Tyrese Proctor and Foster should be in the lineup on opening night. Foster showed flashes of what made him a highly touted recruit last season. The expanded role Foster will play on a national championship contender makes him an easy candidate to become a household name. Foster ranked No. 83 on the CBS Sports Top 100 And 1 Player list released last week.
2023-24 stats: 5.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.4 apg
Stevenson went through the NBA Draft process this past summer before (wisely) returning to school. Stevenson is a former blue-chip recruit who reclassified up to join the Crimson Tide a year early. He was the hero of the Elite Eight victory vs. Clemson – coming off the bench to score 19 points to help Alabama advance to its first Final Four in program history. Stevenson is a natural stretch-4 who should play more minutes this season in a backup role behind Grant Nelson and Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi. Alabama has one of the best (and deepest rosters) in the country, and role players like Stevenson will be pivotal in making another deep tournament run.
2023-24 stats: 2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.3 apg
Biliew was the No. 13 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports and barely saw the floor during his freshman season at Iowa State – averaging 7.4 minutes in 20 appearances. Biliew is going to a program with a history of unlocking the most out of former blue-chip recruits. Look no further than Hunter Sallis, who went from averaging 15 minutes at Gonzaga during his first two years to starting all 34 games and averaging 18 points in his first season at Wake Forest. In Wake Forest’s exhibition game against Alabama, Biliew scored 15 points and grabbed four rebounds — a potential sign for good signs to come.
2023-24 stats: 7.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg
Bradley, ranked No. 99 in our Top 100 And 1, might be my favorite breakout candidate on this list because his role will be expanding with former starting point guard Kylan Boswell no longer with the program. Bradley is exceptional at getting to the rim and is an efficient (and low-volume) 3-point shooter. He should produce some highlight-level plays and average double-digit points for an Arizona team looking to make noise in the new-look Big 12. Buy all the stock you can now.
2023-24 stats: 4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg
Bradshaw ranked as the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting cycle by 247Sports and played sparingly as a freshman at Kentucky. Bradshaw missed the start of last season with an injury and never found a clear-cut role with the Wildcats, as he averaged just under 14 minutes. Bradshaw should have a chance to shine under first-year coach Jake Diebler. He should be in the running to start at PF or center — depending on how the starting lineup shakes out. When in doubt, bet on talent and upside to produce.
Elliot Cadeau | G | North Carolina
2023-24 stats: 7.3 points, 4.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds
Cadeau started 31 of 37 games for a North Carolina team that won the ACC regular-season title and reached the Sweet 16. Cadeau returns next to Davis to solidify one of the best backcourts in the conference. Cadeau’s greatest strength is his passing, but where he is poised to improve the most is his 3-point shooting. Cadeau shot an abysmal 18.9% on 1.4 attempts from beyond the arc, and part of the game plan opposing teams would instill (see the game against Alabama as an example) was to leave him open to shoot. His passing remains his greatest strength, but improving his shooting from beyond the arc will go a long way in his draft stock soaring.
Andrej Stojaković | G | Cal
2023-24 stats: 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists
The son of NBA legend Peja Stojaković has a similar archetype as his father. Stojaković is good at getting to his spots in the mid-range area and can stretch the floor from beyond the arc when needed. Stojaković shot 33.3% on 3.3 attempts from beyond the arc, which isn’t eye-popping by any means, but his overall volume will increase because he will be more of a focal point in the offense. The fit at Cal under coach Mark Madsen makes him a prime candidate to have a breakout season.
2023-24 stats: 9.9 points, 3.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds
Wagner started 28 of 29 games for John Calipari at Kentucky last season, and when his coach left the Bluegrass State for Arkansas, he followed suit. Wagner showed glimpses during his freshman season of why he was projected as a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. In Arkansas’ exhibition game against Kansas last week, Wagner scored a game-high 24 points and shot 8 of 12 from the floor. That performance should foreshadow a sign of good things to come for Arkansas and Wagner.
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Isaac Trotter
