1 day Ago
AJ Dybantsa is undoubtedly BYU’s best player going into next season . But head coach Kevin Young may have just secured his most impactful piece. Richie Saunders , the veteran first-team all-Big 12 player, is coming back for his senior season.
Saunders contemplated heading to the NBA, but will take a leading role in what the Cougars believe could be a Final Four run. With his addition, BYU vaulted into the top 10 of most preseason metrics. Saunders averaged 16.
5 points and over four rebounds a game in 2024. In Young’s system, he thrived taking catch-and-shoot threes and attacking closeouts. He stabilized BYU’s offense by shooting 43% from deep.
He also doubled as one of Young’s most reliable defenders, sneakily bringing length to BYU’s backcourt. Down the stretch of the season, Saunders was widely discussed as an NBA prospect and draftable in the second round. He is 23 years old and will turn 24 before the start of next season, suggesting to some that he should have gone pro.
But Young, a former NBA coach, believed Saunders’ NBA hopes will be the same after next season. Saunders has developed significantly each season. He went from being a lightly played freshman, averaging five points, to a nice rotation piece as a sophomore.
He was the focal point of a Sweet 16 team last year , scoring 25 points against Wisconsin in the Round of 32 and another 25 against Alabama in Newark. The Big Thing (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kevin Young as BYU hosts Oklahoma State, NCAA basketball in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
With Saunders’ return, Young’s roster is starting to round into form. BYU lost some significant pieces with Dallin Hall heading to Virginia and Kanon Catchings going to Georgia. But the core of the roster remains intact.
Young will have several options for a starting rotation. Saunders and Dybantsa will definitely be there. Baylor transfer Rob Wright will also likely be manning the point guard spot to replace Egor Demin .
And Keba Keita returns to likely fill the frontcourt. With his remaining spot, Young has a number of options. Dawson Baker, a playmaking point guard , is returning for his senior year.
Southern Illinois guard Kennard Davis was a highly touted pickup, too, scoring more than 16 points a game at the midmajor level. As for depth, Young has Washington transfer Dominique Diomande, a 6-foot-8 forward. Mihailo Boskovic , a 6-foot-10 forward, will be in his second year in the program.
Xavion Staton, another 6-foot-10 center, is billed as the best rim protector in his high school class. And even a player like Brody Koswolski, a former four-star recruit, could contend for minutes. Here is a look at a potential lineup for BYU’s 2025 season.
Starters: Rob Wright — guard, 6-foot-1, Baylor Kennard Davis — guard, 6-foot-6, Southern Illinois Richie Saunders — guard, 6-foot-5, BYU AJ Dybantsa — forward, 6-foot-9, Utah Prep Keba Keita — forward, 6-foot-8, BYU Rotation Dawson Baker — guard, 6-foot-4, BYU Mihailo Bosovich — forward, 6-foot-10, BYU Dominique Diomande — forward, 6-foot-8, Washington Xavion Staton — center, 6-foot-10, Utah Prep Brody Koswolski — forward, 6-foot-7, BYU Fourth down 1. BYU is moving into the spotlight With the addition of another star transfer, BYU is moving into the basketball spotlight. 2.
NFL draft BYU had no draft picks this year. A few players signed free agent contracts, including Jakob Robinson heading to the 49ers. Tyler Batty is going to the Vikings and Caleb Etienne landed with the Bengals.
3. PB&Js How did BYU build the Big 12’s best linebacking core? Through plenty of Uncrustables in the Breakfast Club. 4.
The end of Jimmermania Jimmer Fredette retired from basketball last week. He last played in the Paris Olympics for the 3x3 team..
