Five SEC college basketball players who could be a bust in 2024-25 season ft. Houston Mallette
The Southeastern Conference, or the SEC, has been buzzing this offseason, with teams tinkering with their lineups to prepare for a competitive 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Programs are working to build strong teams that could prevent UConn from winning a third straight national title.
Teams have tried out various means to strengthen their rosters, including recruiting quality players from the transfer portal and signing standout high school prospects. Despite the potential of some of these recruits, they could end up not playing on the court due to various reasons.
Here are five SEC players who might end up as busts in the 2024-25 season.
Five SEC college basketball players who may likely end up as busts in the 2024-25 season
#1 Houston Mallette, Guard, Alabama
Acquired from Pepperdine through the transfer portal, Houston Mallette was the Waves' third-leading scorer last season, averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting 41.5% from the three-point line. However, Mallette's great play couldn't translate to victories as Pepperdine went 13-20.
The Nate Oats-mentored Crimson Tide hopes that the six-foot-five guard can add backcourt firepower to support top scorer Mark Sears. But Mallete might end up sacrificing his offense for this goal.
Under this arrangement, he is likely to receive fewer touches and looks, as Sears will probably remain the primary offensive focus for Alabama in the 2024-25 SEC season. Mallette might end up averaging in the single digits, around 6.5 points per game, for the first time in his collegiate career.
#2 Johnell Davis, Guard, Arkansas
Johnell Davis might sacrifice his NBA draft prospects to win a national championship. The six-foot-four guard from Gary, Indiana, tallied 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season with Florida Atlantic.
Davis, an incoming fifth-year player, transferred to Arkansas under former champion coach John Calipari. With the Razorbacks' loaded lineup for the 2024-25 season, the guard's production could regress as he shares his playing time with teammates D.J. Wagner and freshman Boogie Fland. Davis could end up tallying 8 points, four rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in the coming season.
#3 Amari Williams, Center, Kentucky
The transfer student out of Drexel should have stayed with the team for another year rather than declaring his commitment to play with Kentucky next season. Amari Williams, listed at seven feet and 265 pounds, might compete with fellow transfers, Andrew Carr and Brandon Garrison, at the center position for playing time, which could pull his stats down.
The Nottingham, England native averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game during his final season with Drexel. The loaded Wildcats frontcourt might affect Williams' production. He could end up as a third-string center unless he steps up and gives Carr and Garrison a run for their money.
#4 Jadon Jones, Guard, Oklahoma
Jadon Jones transferred to Oklahoma after an excellent 2023-24 season at Long Beach State. The six-foot-five guard averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.6 assists in 34 games while shooting 41.9%, including 37.7% from the 3-point area. He was also steady from the free-throw line at 85.2%.
At Oklahoma, he might see fewer touches because of the team's crowded guard roster. If he doesn't stand out, Jones could end up leveraging just four points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game next season.
#5 Jaemyn Brakefield, Forward, Ole Miss
Jaemyn Brakefield returned for another season with Ole Miss, expecting for more playing time as a fifth-year senior. He averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season.
However, the six-foot-eight forward might have been better off turning pro. With the Rebels gaining the commitment of transfers Sean Pedulla, Dre Davis and Malik Dia, plus returnee Matthew Murrell, Brakefield would be in for a battle with seven-foot-two freshman forward John Bol and Belmont transfer Malik Dia for the position.
Expect Brakefield to score just 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game next season, as he will get limited touches with the ball.
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