The Big 12 is a conference where anyone can emerge as a key player on their respective team. Last season, the league’s top three scorers were all newcomers, including Big 12 Player of the Year and All-American JT Toppin, who went from averaging around 12 points per game at New Mexico to nearly 18 and 10 for Texas Tech as a national breakout star.
Which candidates have the best chance of being the next Toppin? Here are 10 from the Big 12 to keep an eye on.
Note: Players must have averaged fewer than 11 points per game last season to qualify.
1. Christian Anderson, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard, Texas Tech
2024-25: 10.6 points, 2.2 assists, 30.6 minutes per game
Anderson was one of the best freshmen in the nation, though the hype has yet to catch up to his performance. He shot 38 percent from deep on more than five attempts per game and was a Big 12 All-Freshman selection, and he had nine games of at least 15 points, including 22 in the overtime win over Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. With Big 12 leading passer Elijah Hawkins gone, Anderson will now be the lead playmaker for the Red Raiders and has a chance of being one of the best guards not just in the conference, but in the country.
2024-25: 5.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 16.3 minutes per game
The former 5-star prospect’s minutes were somewhat limited last year due to being a poor fit next to Hunter Dickinson. Still, Bidunga managed to have some notable outings, including double-doubles against UCF and TCU, along with a 19-point showing in double overtime vs. Houston. With Dickinson out of the way, Bidunga is now the focal point of the Jayhawks’ frontcourt and is a prime breakout candidate.
Now leading the Jayhawks’ frontcourt, Flory Bidunga seems due for a breakout season.
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2024-25: 8.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 18.6 minutes per game
Dawes was highly efficient when on the floor for the Utes, shooting 70 percent from inside the arc and logging six games of at least 15 points while coming off the bench. Two of those came toward the end of the season when he got extended minutes, including 21 points and 15 rebounds against UCF and 19 points and 11 rebounds against Butler in the Crown Invitational. Dawes projects to be a starter for Utah, and he is capable of producing those numbers on a consistent basis.
Keanu Dawes was explosive on limited minutes last year
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2024-25: 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 20.4 minutes per game
TCU has multiple frontcourt options who qualify as breakout candidates, but the one who stands out is Punch. He started 27 games as a freshman, shot 48 percent from the field and had five double-digit scoring outings, including a career-high 19 points against Colorado. If he can successfully space the floor (he shot less than 28 percent from deep on 29 attempts), Punch can become a big part of the Frogs’ offense.
2024-25: 5.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 17.5 minutes per game
The former top-100 prospect had a solid first year, becoming a starter in the second half of the season. Rancik had a stretch of five double-digit scoring outings in seven games, including 19 points and 9 rebounds against Kansas, and another positive sign of a breakout campaign was Rancik’s performance in the team’s Australian preseason foreign tour, as he totaled at least 15 points in two of the four games.
Sebastian Rancik’s stellar performance with Team Australia could portend a breakout season
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2024-25 (4 games): 4.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, 10.5 minutes per game (Tennessee)
Speaking of foreign games, Baylor participated in the FISU World University Games World Cup and took home the silver medal. Carr, a mid-year transfer last season, was one of the stars for the Bears, posting 26 points in the gold-medal loss to Brazil. The Bears were without other key pieces, so don’t expect Carr to score 20 points per game this season; still, look for the former 4-star prospect to secure a spot in the rotation, with the potential to put up impressive numbers.
2024-25: 3.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 16.8 minutes per game (VCU)
Bamgboye was a very raw prospect at the beginning of last season, but quickly turned into one of the top interior defenders in the Atlantic 10. Not only did he have seven games with at least four blocks, but Bamgboye showed some scoring potential with 17 points against Davidson. Pairing him with Toppin should give Texas Tech one of the best interior frontcourts in the nation, with the sophomore newcomer able to benefit from the attention the Big 12 POY will be getting.
Luke Bamgboye is a quality defender who could prove elite beside JT Toppin
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2023-24 (did not play in 2024-25): 4.3 points, 1.7 assists, 18.6 minutes per game
Jackson missed all of last year with a torn patellar tendon but is back after a strong freshman campaign that had him starting 17 games, including an 11-point outing in a win over Missouri. With four-year starting point gaurd Dajuan Harris Jr. gone, the lead ball-handling duties will likely be spread around early in the season. Jackson, arguably the purest traditional point guard on the roster, has a great chance to get back into the starting lineup and run the offense.
2024-25: 5.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 22 minutes per game (Virginia)
The former top-100 prospect started 22 games for the Cavaliers last season, including a pair of double-double performances. Now Buchanan replaces outgoing starting center Dishon Jackson for the preseason top-25 squad and gets a major coaching upgrade playing for T.J. Otzelberger. While his stats may not take a significant leap, look for Buchanan’s stature to increase while playing for a Big 12 contender.
Blake Buchanan will benefit from playing with a bona fide Big 12 contender
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2024-25: 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 22.4 minutes per game (Mississippi State)
Kugel was viewed as a valid breakout candidate after averaging 10 points per game as a freshman at Florida, but his sophomore and junior campaigns saw him stagnate with similar numbers. So, why will he finally break out at UCF as a senior? Mainly because there aren’t other clear options, as most of the other 11 portal newcomers either come from the mid-major ranks or aren’t known for scoring. It’s a good spot for Kugel to finally enjoy that breakout campaign.
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