Note: This story was originally published on ClutchPoints.
The 2019-20 SEC basketball season will once again feature a plethora of talent across the board.
However, what’s always intriguing entering a new season is looking at potential breakout candidates who could emerge from the crowd.
We know about the league’s top returners and incoming 5-star recruits. But who are the players flying under the radar that we could be talking about as potential All-SEC players?
Here are five SEC breakout players worth watching heading into the season.
5. Aaron Nesmith (Vanderbilt)
While there was a lot of talk surrounding Vanderbilt’s 5-star duo of Darius Garland and Simi Shittu prior to last season, Nesmith belonged in the same discussion due to his NBA potential.
Of course, the Commodores’ winless SEC campaign kept a lot of eyes off them nationally, but Nesmith still showcased his skills. He averaged 11.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and tied a team-high with 59 made 3-pointers. Nesmith also got plenty of experience in year one, finishing second on the team in playing 29.0 minutes per game.
He’ll be among the best 3-point shooters in the conference this season, but his length at 6-6 should allow him to take another step forward on defense and be a reliable defender for Jerry Stackhouse and company.
4. Dru Smith (Missouri)
Technically, Smith was already a breakout player in his second season at Evansville.
The 6-3 junior posted 13.7 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 57.8 percent from the floor during the 2017-18 season with the Aces. Now, after a sit-out season in Columbia, he’s set to emerge as a premier playmaker in the league.
When talking to Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin this summer for my Blue Ribbon feature story on the Tigers, he raved about Smith’s ability to make winning plays and impact the game on both sides of the court.
That should allow him to step right in and be an impact player right away for a Missouri team that we may be undervaluing entering the season.
3. Blake Hinson (Ole Miss)
Just like with Smith at Missouri, you could technically say that Blake Hinson has already had a breakout season. But even after an impressive freshman campaign, the potential is there for him to be even better this year.
The 6-7 sophomore averaged 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game a season ago, and he’s another young player who got valuable experience by starting 31 of the 32 games that he played in. His physical presence was obvious – Kermit Davis told me last summer Hinson was the most mature freshman he’d ever coached – and it should be even more prominent this season.
Hinson has the skill set on offense to average double figures this season, and adding more rebounding and playmaking ability on the defensive side of the court will be the key to him being a potential All-SEC player.
2. Alex Reese (Alabama)
Alabama fans saw Reese’s potential in his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa. And after an impressive summer honing his skills, the 6-9 junior may be among the most improved players in the SEC this season.
What figures to make Reese an invaluable asset in Nate Oats’ system is his ability to step out and make shots on the perimeter. Reese connected on 27 of his 72 3-point attempts last season (37.5 percent) and should see more opportunities in an up-tempo offensive attack.
Oats has mentioned Reese being able to play the 5-spot this season, and having a player who can knock down 3-pointers at that position should give the Crimson Tide lots of options on offense.
If Reese can become a reliable rebounder and defender, this could be his breakout campaign.
1. Emmitt Williams (LSU)
Like many LSU players, Williams tested the NBA waters before deciding to return for his sophomore season in Baton Rouge. Ultimately, it was the right choice, especially considering the opportunity available to him with several key players departing for the pros.
The former top 25 prospect notched 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a freshman, with his efficiency on display in shooting 61.4 percent from the field. He started just eight games, but that’ll likely change this season as the Tigers march towards trying to defend their SEC crown.
Williams’ upside is obvious, and the 6-6 sophomore should become more of a threat on the perimeter after shooting it well during the Tigers’ summer trip to Spain. But he’ll also continue to be an elite rebounder, which LSU will need after losing both Naz Reid and Kavell Bigby-Williams.
With so much potential, Williams could have a huge season for the Tigers.
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.