Michigan State basketball star named top 3 breakout candidate in the country
![Ohio State v Michigan State Ohio State v Michigan State](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_490/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/137/01j3n88j01bf42ddkqsm.jpg)
The Michigan State basketball season is quickly approaching and I for one can't wait to see how this season comes together. With a few new faces on the team and some guys we're hoping have improved a lot this offseason, I am so curious to see how Tom Izzo manages the roster as they try to get back to the top of the Big Ten.
Everyone on the team needs to get a lot better this offseason if they are going to accomplish that goal of winning a Big Ten championship, but I would argue that Xavier Booker needs to improve the most.
It also sounds like the rest of the country feels that way as well. So much so that Booker was just selected as one of the top three players in the country to have a breakout season this year.
Most likely breakout stars in college basketball by @gwizzy12 and @CarterElliott__. pic.twitter.com/8i2iArFrPW
— Sleepers Media 💤🏀 (@SleepersMedia) July 25, 2024
According to Sleepers Media, they think Booker is one of the top players in the country who is ready to have a breakout season this year.
Last season Booker struggled to see the floor and it showed in his stats. Booker averaged just 3.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Usually this wouldn't be cause for concern from a freshman, but you typically expect to see more production from a five-star freshman.
As we inch closer to this season now, it appears Booker has turned the corner we all hoped he would. Whether it be his impressive performance in Moneyball or the fact that he's added on a lot of necessary weight this offseason, the hype surrounding Booker is at an all time high.
So knowing those two things are true, it really shouldn't be a surprise to hear that Booker is primed to have a breakout season. I could easily see him averaging over 10 points per game this year, and if that happens I think we’ll see Michigan State near the top of the Big Ten standings once again.