Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: 6 Sophomore players primed for a breakout season in 2023-24

By Charlie Spungin

Dec 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels (11) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels (11) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes up for a dunk against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes up for a dunk against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Northwest Division (premier) breakout candidate: Shaedon Sharpe (POR) 

Honorable Mentions: Peyton Watson, Ousmane Dieng, Wendell Moore Jr.

For Portland’s final 10 games of the season, Shaedon Sharpe was handed a starting role and averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on a 57.4 TS% (46.0/37.8/77.3 splits). That’s really damn good. The 7th pick of the 2022 draft is ready to break out, as the Blazers look ready to embrace a rebuild with the Damian Lillard trade request.

Sharpe just oozes offensive stardom. He’s comfortable in almost every spot on the floor at just 20 years old. He can play with the ball in his hands, whether he’s getting downhill to finish, where he shot a very good 67% at the rim last season, getting to his mid-range pull-up, or even self-creating from three. The latter two parts of his game need improvement in terms of his efficiency there, but he displayed a comfort level that is incredibly encouraging. He had reps as the pick-and-roll ball-handler. Off of the ball, he shot 45.5% on catch-and-shoot threes and is a willing cutter.

He is deadly in transition, partially because he is a special athlete. When he leaps, it looks like he’s just levitating. When he bursts by a defender, it looks like a video game. He has a case as the league’s best athlete. This athleticism is important to his finishing ability, and it also gives him a sense of defensive upside, where he had some struggles last season. His 7-foot wingspan also should help him improve on that end.

It honestly wouldn’t be surprising to see Sharpe lead this team in scoring next season. The Blazers are going to want the ball in his hands with the flashes that he showed to close the year. If the efficiency can improve on off-the-dribble jump shots, that would be amazing. If it doesn’t get too much better, I expect it to at some point in the following season or two. He looks so comfortable getting to his spots.