Pac-10 Basketball: Top 10 Breakout Players in the Conference

A third into the season, and just weeks away from conference games, the Pac-10 has seen great play from some unexpected players.

Familiar conference names such as Derrick Williams, Klay Thompson and Isaiah Thomas have been solid as expected.

To qualify for this list as a "breakout," a player had to show a dramatic rise in statistical production. There are multiple players who have stepped up in conference who didn’t make this list, but these are the most impressive "under the radar" performers from the Pac-10 so far.

That said, SwishScout.com presents the Top Breakout Players of Pac-10 Basketball.

Honorable Mention: Solomon Hill (Arizona), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (Washington), Harper Kamp (California), Maurice Jones (USC), Bryce Jones (USC), Reeves Nelson (UCLA)

10. Joevan Catron

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Joevan Catron #50 of the Oregon Ducks shoots against the Washington State Cougars during the Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Staples Center on March 11, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry

Joevan Catron (Oregon)

Key Stats: 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 55.2 FG%

Key Improvements (per game): +8.8 points, +21.9 FG% 

After redshirting the 2009-2010 season due to injury, Catron has returned to the Ducks as one of two veteran seniors.

The versatile big man, who plays the post more like a guard than forward, has been a creator on offense and their "go-to" scoring threat. His scoring is up drastically, and he’s shooting the ball better than ever...except from three.

9. Jared Cunningham

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Venoy Overton #1 of the Washington Huskies pursues Jared Cunningham #1 of the Oregon State Beavers for the ball in the second half during the Quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 11, 201

Jared Cunningham (Oregon State)

Key Stats: 11.8 points, 2.4 assists, 3.8 steals

Key Improvements (per game): +5.2 points, +1.5 assists, +2.5 steals

The lanky, 6’4” guard has been terrorizing opposing frontcourts with his length and defensive pickpocketing to become third in the NCAA in steals with 3.8 per game. His scoring and playmaking for teammates have improved as well this season.

Expect Cunningham to be amongst the NCAA leaders in steals and a Pac-10 All-Defensive team selection at season's end.

8. Jorge Gutierrez

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 19: Jorge Gutierrez #2 of the California Golden Bears shoots the ball while defended by Rakeem Buckles #4 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Jacksonville Veteran's Me

Jorge Gutierrez (California-Berkeley)

Key Stats: 12.9 points, 4.1 assists, 3.2 steals, 1.7 steals, 52.6 3pt.%, 80.7 FT%

Key Improvements (per game): +7.4 points, +1.4 assists, +20.4 FT%, +11/6 3pt.%

Gutierrez has been the star for Cal by raising his play in nearly all facets of the game. He already has more free throw makes at this point than in his first couple seasons at Berkeley, signs of more aggressive play and attacking the basket.

His scoring leads the Bears' offensive attack, while his steals, coupled with aggressive D, have anchored the Bears' defensive efforts.

7. E.J. Singler

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PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 27: E. J. Singler #25 of the Oregon Ducks dribbles against his brother Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils on November 27, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

E.J. Singler (Oregon)

Key Stats: 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1 block, 52.2 3pt.%

Key Improvements(per game): +6.9 points, +2.4 rebounds, +18 3pt.%

The other Singler has been a breakout star for Oregon with his increased offensive production and honed-in shooting. He already has just one fewer three-point make this year than he had all of last year and is doing so at an efficient 52.2 percent three-point shooting rate.

While only a sophomore, E.J. already possesses an assertive, all-around game that reminds some Pac-10 basketball fans of Kyle Weaver.

6. Tyler Honeycutt

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LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 02: Tyler Honeycutt #23 of the UCLA Bruins in action during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on December 2, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Tyler Honeycutt (UCLA)

Key Stats: 15.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1 steal

Key Improvements (per game): +8.1 points, +1.9 rebounds, +16 FT%

Honeycutt’s biggest knock coming into the season was his passive offensive presence. He has answered his critics with stellar scoring ability and improved perimeter shooting. Honeycutt is becoming a true Pac-10 star and a serious contender for conference "Player of the Year."

5. Abdul Gaddy

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: Abdul Gaddy #10 of the Washington Huskies goes up for a shot over Jerome Randle #3 and Omondi Amoke #21 of the California Golden Bears during the championship game of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March

Abdul Gaddy (Washington)

Key Stats: 10.2 points, 3.9 assists, 2.6 assist/turnover ratio, 88.9 FT%, 57.1 3pt.%

Key Improvements (per game): +6.3 points, +1.38 A/T, +32.5 FT%, +42.1 3pt.%

Gaddy has earned the starting spot for the Huskies this year, and his confidence is clearly up as a result. His shooting percentages are up leaps and bounds beyond last year's, when his shooting stroke was abysmal.

Abdul is one of the most improved players in the conference and is quickly becoming one of the best point guards on the West Coast.

4. Faisal Aden

Faisal Aden (Washington State)

Key Stats: 18.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2 steals, 42.9 3pt.%

The junior college transfer came out of nowhere to be amongst the conference leaders in scoring. While predominantly a jump shooter, Aden stepped up in Reggie Moore’s absence to co-star for the Cougs with Klay Thompson.

Faisal gives Wazzu an additional scoring threat to add even more firepower to their dark horse run at the Pac-10 conference title.

3. Justin Holiday

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LOS ANGELES - MARCH 11: Justin Holiday #22 of the Washington Huskies shoots against the Oregon State Beavers during the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Washington won 59-52

Justin Holiday (Washington)

Key Stats: 13.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2 steals, 51.9 3pt.%

Key Improvements (per game): +7.2 points, +1 steals, +12.1 FG%, +18.6 3pt.%

The older brother of NBA star Jrue Holiday is making a name for himself up in Seattle. He has solidified the Huskies defense once again this season with Venoy Overton and Matthew Bryan-Amaning, but his biggest improvements have come on the offensive end.

Holiday’s shooting the three-ball better than ever, already with more makes from range this season than the rest of his college seasons combined.

2. Omari Johnson

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LOS ANGELES - MARCH 11: Omari Johnson #24 of the Oregon State Beavers dunks against the Washington Huskies during the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen D

Omari Johnson (Oregon State)

Key Stats: 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals

Key Improvements (per game): +9.1 points, +4.7 rebounds, +1.9 steals, +12 3pt.%

Omari sporadically had solid outings last year, but this year he has consistently been producing for the Beavers. Johnson has raised his game considerably, leading the Beavers in both scoring and rebounding, while outshining fellow senior star Calvin Haynes in the process.

Johnson is easily the conference’s top breakout senior and would be the most improved player in the Pac-10 if not for...

1. Trent Lockett

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 25: Trent Lockett #24 of the Arizona State Sun Devils dunks the ball against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden on November 25, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Trent Lockett (Arizona State)

Key Stats: 15.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 62.7 FG%, 40% 3pt.%

Key Improvements (per game): +8.9 points, +3.5 rebounds, +2.3 assists, +14 FG%, +18.9 3pt.%

Amongst renowned seniors Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks, the sophomore has been the best early season player for the Sun Devils. Lockett showed signs of being a great Pac-10 player early in his freshman year but never truly came to fruition to the extent he has so far this season.

With a 62.7 FG percentage, Lockett has been one of the nation’s most efficient scorers and has become one of the conference leaders in points per game.