College Basketball: Three Two-Way Sophomores to Watch Next Season

Generating extra possessions: A concept that has become a point of emphasis in modern NBA analytics. Teams are increasingly looking for players who may garner steals and blocks at high rates, or are impactful rebounders, for example.

While players like Jordan Smith Jr, Thomas Haugh, and Tyran Stokes will deservedly garner headlines, below we take a look at three sophomores who helped their teams win the possession battle and could be in line for breakout seasons.

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Jordan Scott, Michigan State

Michigan State’s Jordan Scott shoots during the first basketball practice of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Scott is a 6-foot-8 wing who was impactful as a rotation player for the Spartans last season, averaging 20.8 minutes per game.

He made an impact as a defensive event creator, recording a 2.1 steal percentage and 3.3 block percentage. Offensively, he made an impact as an offensive rebounder and floor spacer — generating a 7.9 offensive rebound percentage while shooting 37% from three on 8.2 three point attempts per 100 possessions (100 total attempts).

Scott was also efficient at the rim and on non-rim twos, albeit on limtied attempts. The former four-star recruit made 72.2% of his attempts at the rim (18 attempts) and 37.8% of his non-rim twos (45 attempts) this past season.

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If Scott can continue making an impact in increased minutes, he’ll find himself on NBA radars — the league always has a spot for a 6-foot-8 wing who can make a positive impact defensively and space the floor. How well he can fulfill the dribble-pass components of the dribble-pass-shoot archetype will help determine his draft stock.

Amari Evans, Texas

Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Amari Evans (1) shoots in the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil…

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Publish date : 2026-09-28 01:00:00

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