NCAA.com predicts P.J. Washington to be a breakout player

Who are the best returning players from last season that are poised to break out in 2018? Who will be college basketball’s next biggest star players?

The NCAA’s official website took a jab at this as Joe Boozell offered his top-six breakout candidates.

The players included on this list include Michigan State’s Joshua Langford (a career 41% 3PT shooter), C.J. Jackson of Ohio State, Eric Paschall of Villanova, Michigan’s Jordan Poole (whom hit that buzzer beating, game-winning 3 in the NCAA Tournament against Houston), Cameron Krutwig for Loyola-Chicago (fresh off a Final Four appearance).

It also includes Kentucky’s P.J. Washington.

“Washington’s volume may or may not ramp up, but he’s going to have more space this season thanks to all the shooting Kentucky added. That bodes well for his game,” wrote Boozell. “Washington is an old-school forward whose primary goal is to get to the rim at will. It’s impressive that he averaged 10.8 points as a freshman despite the Wildcats’ rough spacing.”

Nobody who watched P.J. Washington during Kentucky’s Bahamas tour should be surprised to see him get praised. A more cut, slim Washington was magnificent to watch on offense and defense.

Even with the likes of Reid Travis coming to Lexington, it’s hard to look at Washington and not call him Kentucky’s best player. The upgraded physical capabilities will only spotlight his phenomenal skill set, not to mention his defensive capabilities.

The game should become exponentially more comfortable for P.J. this season; and all of that is why he is likely to be one of the next stars of college basketball. It also will hopefully lead to him being a first-round NBA Draft pick and having his pro dreams become a reality.

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