Time to celebrate the Summit League players that are returning that are primed for a breakout in year 2. To make this list a player had to score in single digits last year and is prime for a big role this season.
1st Team All-Breakout
G Bentiu Panoam, North Dakota
In his second season Panoam averaged 2.1 points per game and then last season Panoam surprised Summit League fans by jumping to 9.4 points per game. Panoam’s role continued to expand last season and the results showed as his role increased. In the last 5 games of last season Panoam averaged nearly 20 points per game. It is not hard to imagine that Panoam leads the Fighting Hawks in scoring this season. With the loss of Tyree Ihenacho to the transfer portal, North Dakota needs Panoam to step up even more than he did last season.
G La’Mel Robinson, Omaha
Robinson only started 11 games last season and still managed 9.3 points per game. He is prime for a major role in the Mavericks backcourt this season. Likely an opening night starter, Robinson is key to an Omaha turnaround this season. Frankly the Mavericks need Robinson to take the next step this season. Robinson shot 29% from behind the arc, last season but that is likely to improve this season. Omaha added some talent in the frontcourt and this should open up some space on the perimeter and some driving lanes for Robinson
G Xavier Fuller
Fuller started most of last season, so this begs the question why the expected jump in production? Fuller’s role is going to have to change this season due to AJ Plitzuweit missing this season recovering from a knee injury. We saw a window into this last season. With Plitzuweit out for the Summit League Tournament, Fuller averaged 19.5 points per game in two tournament games. It’s very possible that Fuller puts up 16+ points per game, while pullin in 7 rebounds a game.
F Grant Nelson, North Dakota State
Anyone who watched Summit League basketball last season, saw the talent that Nelson posesses. At 6’10 the athleticism and ball-handling of a guard. The only thing in the way for Nelson and a 2nd season breakout is the incredible depth on the Bison roster. Last years 6th man of the year is likely to have too much talent to be in line for that award this season. If the exhibition game against Minot State is any indication, Nelson will find his way into the starting lineup this season. Nelson averaged 20 minutes a game last year and is likely to see a 10 minute jump this season. Nelson and Rocky Kreuser will combine to form one of the most feared frontcourts in the Summit.
F Tasos Kamateros, South Dakota
Things started slowly for Kamateros last year and then he came on strong at the end of the season, scoring in double figures each of his last 4 games. This season feels like Kamateros time to shine. Kamateros started 20 games last season and will likely start every game this year. Kamateros confidence continued to grow last season and it seems he will take that into this season. The Summit League voters agree, voting Kamateros onto the Preseason All-Summit 2nd team.