By Artau Pascual
Getting used to College Basketball takes time, both from a playing style and a physical development perspective. There are a few players who turn into exceptions and end up being day-one main contributors or one and done players, but for the vast majority of them it’s a process and the main goal is having a strong start to secure a solid four-year stint at the highest level possible. After taking a look at the best newcomers to CBB for the 2024-25 season, now it’s the time to focus on the players who are poised for major improvements or a breakout season.
Andrej Stojakovic- California Berkeley 6'6, Wing
The son of Peja Stojakovic, transferred from Stanford to California Berkeley after a Freshman season rounded wrapped with 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Stojakovic, a 6’6 Wing, was able to compete at the PAC-12 physical level from an early stage of the season and found his place in the Stanford rotation, a team that went through injuries and soreness of key players during the whole year. Stojakovic stood out because of his shot-creation ability from the mid-range area, as well as he contributed in a smart way as a floor-spacer and brought to the table value coming off second side actions.
This season, Stojakovic will have the chance to build around what he displayed last season in a potentially increased role with an improved body. If he’s able to translate his scoring prowess and his results off the catch and in the paint to take a leap, he will turn into a more unpredictable scorer who, in addition, won’t be a non-factor in the other areas of the game.
Zvonimir Ivisic- Arkansas, 7'2, Big
Zvonimir Ivisic has been a fun and challenging player to evaluate over the last years because of the results his teams have achieved and his skillset and ceiling. Players with his skillset at Ivisic’s size aren’t easy to find, and he’s undeniably appealing. Season one under Coach Calipari with Kentucky was difficult in all areas because he missed a big stretch in the start, and later he had a hard time adjusting to the defensive approach and rules. However, in the games where he had the chance to showcase his talent, he demonstrated that he possesses some unteachable qualities such as shooting ability and ball-handling that will make a difference once everything clicks.
So, how much playable he’ll be, will come down to his defensive contribution. At this point, Ivisic’s main challenge is improving his ability to defend through contact and awareness to turn into a player who can fill the assignment as a 5. If he’s able to fix his stance and increase his intensity at simple things such as boxing out or guarding post-up situations, his floor will raise a lot. If he’s unable to do so, he will be a player who will have to navigate foul trouble often and will have a hard time finding the playing time he should enjoy just because of his talent.
Elliot Cadeau- North Carolina, 6'1, Guard
We all know Cadeau: a small, electric, fancy guard who feels comfortable running the game in fast-paced offense, either transitions or early stages of possessions, and a smart and creative pick&roll ball-handler who can put both feet in the paint and possesses a fine bag of small-guard types of finishes in the paint and the restricted area. The goal for Cadeau remains the same: developing some sort of jumper that helps to erase question marks regarding his projection for the highest levels. Perimeter scoring will not be an issue for UNC this season, and he will have the appropriate environment to play at his strengths and fuel the offense of his team.
Milan Momcilovic- Iowa State, 6'9, Forward
Milan Momcilovic played well for a sized Iowa State team last season. He was able to overcome question marks regarding his athleticism and defensive placement, and on the other end of the floor he showcased his biggest strengths: impressive body control for his size, crafty shot-creation and impressive spatial awareness to understand where his advantage is. Momcilovic is not only one of the European candidates to turn into a breakout player but also one of the main names on the entire map.
So, it all should come together for him as he keeps increasing shooting diet and value in the Iowa State rotation. Momcilovic projects as an elite floor-spacer who possesses the skills and physical attributes to produce in the low-post against a wide variety of defensive archetypes, and he has enough shooting versatility to be used in different ways in the perimeter.
Paulius Murauskas- Saint Mary's, 6'8, Forward
Murauskas could figure in the article we will post in the upcoming days about the best transfer portal gets of the Summer, but since we will exclude Sophomores from that one, we need to mention him here. After a fine season in Arizona, the Lithuanian, 2004-born Forward moved to St. Mary’s to play alongside Augustas Marciulionis, who will make life easier for him too.
Murauskas was one of the best performers in the FIBA U20 European Championship in Poland this Summer. He was more assertive face-up, exploited his physical advantages against smaller forwards, relying on his skill and size in post-up situations and looked more under control of his finishes through contact, as well as his willingness to contribute as a rebounder and cutter was valuable for his team. He looked more mature and competitive, so there are plenty of reasons that he will be a main contributor right away for his new College program.
Motiejus Krivas- Arizona, 7'3, Big
With Oumar Ballo’s departure, Krivas should be the main name to step up for the Arizona Wildcats in the 2024-25 season. Krivas was a plug and play in a backup role for Tommy Lloyd’s team last season, and his production was out of debate every time he had significant playing time. His body is ready to compete at HM level, and his playing style fits well the requirements of his team. Krivas is a player who doesn’t slow down the game and, as he’s been showing lately, he’s slowly starting to expand his shooting range in spot-up and pick&pop situations, as well as he has some juice as a passer who won’t slow down the game and has always been a solid finisher with good touch and use of physicality. Krivas was fairly good in Poland for the FIBA U20 European Championship, and he will provide both a solid floor and a high ceiling for Arizona. He’s not similar to Oumar Ballo, but his tools strengths valuable enough to have an impact right away in a primary role.
Miro Little- Utah, 6'4, Guard
Miro Little joins Utah after a hushed season at Baylor. The Finnish 2004-born Guard, who already has Senior National Team experience, is aiming to embrace an upgrade in his role, and it should be the case with the Runnin’ Utes. Miro is a useful guard: a secondary ball-handler who can play alongside other high-usage playmaker whose body and defensive approach allow him to have a versatile perimeter defensive impact. The type of flexibility he can provide on both ends of the floor is what should make him a really valuable contributor for their rotation, added to the fact that he already has some BIG XII experience.
Getting used to College Basketball takes time, both from a playing style and a physical development perspective. There are a few players who turn into exceptions and end up being day-one main contributors or one and done players, but for the vast majority of them it’s a process and the main goal is having a strong start to secure a solid four-year stint at the highest level possible. After taking a look at the best newcomers to CBB for the 2024-25 season, now it’s the time to focus on the players who are poised for major improvements or a breakout season.
Andrej Stojakovic- California Berkeley 6'6, Wing
The son of Peja Stojakovic, transferred from Stanford to California Berkeley after a Freshman season rounded wrapped with 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Stojakovic, a 6’6 Wing, was able to compete at the PAC-12 physical level from an early stage of the season and found his place in the Stanford rotation, a team that went through injuries and soreness of key players during the whole year. Stojakovic stood out because of his shot-creation ability from the mid-range area, as well as he contributed in a smart way as a floor-spacer and brought to the table value coming off second side actions.
This season, Stojakovic will have the chance to build around what he displayed last season in a potentially increased role with an improved body. If he’s able to translate his scoring prowess and his results off the catch and in the paint to take a leap, he will turn into a more unpredictable scorer who, in addition, won’t be a non-factor in the other areas of the game.
Zvonimir Ivisic- Arkansas, 7'2, Big
Zvonimir Ivisic has been a fun and challenging player to evaluate over the last years because of the results his teams have achieved and his skillset and ceiling. Players with his skillset at Ivisic’s size aren’t easy to find, and he’s undeniably appealing. Season one under Coach Calipari with Kentucky was difficult in all areas because he missed a big stretch in the start, and later he had a hard time adjusting to the defensive approach and rules. However, in the games where he had the chance to showcase his talent, he demonstrated that he possesses some unteachable qualities such as shooting ability and ball-handling that will make a difference once everything clicks.
So, how much playable he’ll be, will come down to his defensive contribution. At this point, Ivisic’s main challenge is improving his ability to defend through contact and awareness to turn into a player who can fill the assignment as a 5. If he’s able to fix his stance and increase his intensity at simple things such as boxing out or guarding post-up situations, his floor will raise a lot. If he’s unable to do so, he will be a player who will have to navigate foul trouble often and will have a hard time finding the playing time he should enjoy just because of his talent.
Elliot Cadeau- North Carolina, 6'1, Guard
We all know Cadeau: a small, electric, fancy guard who feels comfortable running the game in fast-paced offense, either transitions or early stages of possessions, and a smart and creative pick&roll ball-handler who can put both feet in the paint and possesses a fine bag of small-guard types of finishes in the paint and the restricted area. The goal for Cadeau remains the same: developing some sort of jumper that helps to erase question marks regarding his projection for the highest levels. Perimeter scoring will not be an issue for UNC this season, and he will have the appropriate environment to play at his strengths and fuel the offense of his team.
Milan Momcilovic- Iowa State, 6'9, Forward
Milan Momcilovic played well for a sized Iowa State team last season. He was able to overcome question marks regarding his athleticism and defensive placement, and on the other end of the floor he showcased his biggest strengths: impressive body control for his size, crafty shot-creation and impressive spatial awareness to understand where his advantage is. Momcilovic is not only one of the European candidates to turn into a breakout player but also one of the main names on the entire map.
So, it all should come together for him as he keeps increasing shooting diet and value in the Iowa State rotation. Momcilovic projects as an elite floor-spacer who possesses the skills and physical attributes to produce in the low-post against a wide variety of defensive archetypes, and he has enough shooting versatility to be used in different ways in the perimeter.
Paulius Murauskas- Saint Mary's, 6'8, Forward
Murauskas could figure in the article we will post in the upcoming days about the best transfer portal gets of the Summer, but since we will exclude Sophomores from that one, we need to mention him here. After a fine season in Arizona, the Lithuanian, 2004-born Forward moved to St. Mary’s to play alongside Augustas Marciulionis, who will make life easier for him too.
Murauskas was one of the best performers in the FIBA U20 European Championship in Poland this Summer. He was more assertive face-up, exploited his physical advantages against smaller forwards, relying on his skill and size in post-up situations and looked more under control of his finishes through contact, as well as his willingness to contribute as a rebounder and cutter was valuable for his team. He looked more mature and competitive, so there are plenty of reasons that he will be a main contributor right away for his new College program.
Motiejus Krivas- Arizona, 7'3, Big
With Oumar Ballo’s departure, Krivas should be the main name to step up for the Arizona Wildcats in the 2024-25 season. Krivas was a plug and play in a backup role for Tommy Lloyd’s team last season, and his production was out of debate every time he had significant playing time. His body is ready to compete at HM level, and his playing style fits well the requirements of his team. Krivas is a player who doesn’t slow down the game and, as he’s been showing lately, he’s slowly starting to expand his shooting range in spot-up and pick&pop situations, as well as he has some juice as a passer who won’t slow down the game and has always been a solid finisher with good touch and use of physicality. Krivas was fairly good in Poland for the FIBA U20 European Championship, and he will provide both a solid floor and a high ceiling for Arizona. He’s not similar to Oumar Ballo, but his tools strengths valuable enough to have an impact right away in a primary role.
Miro Little- Utah, 6'4, Guard
Miro Little joins Utah after a hushed season at Baylor. The Finnish 2004-born Guard, who already has Senior National Team experience, is aiming to embrace an upgrade in his role, and it should be the case with the Runnin’ Utes. Miro is a useful guard: a secondary ball-handler who can play alongside other high-usage playmaker whose body and defensive approach allow him to have a versatile perimeter defensive impact. The type of flexibility he can provide on both ends of the floor is what should make him a really valuable contributor for their rotation, added to the fact that he already has some BIG XII experience.
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