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Last season, Kevin Young made his head coaching debut for BYU after spending 20 seasons working in the NBA and only one year coaching college basketball—when he served as an assistant at Utah Valley two decades ago.
He impressed in his rookie campaign, as the Cougars reached the Sweet Sixteen and their 26 wins marked the most ever for a head coach’s debut season in program history. The team was built around a top-ten pace-and-space offense that prioritized excellent shooting, ball movement, and a heavy perimeter attack. While BYU rebounded well on both ends, its subpar defense—particularly poor perimeter coverage—and occasional lapses in overall toughness limited the team’s ceiling.
Seeking more balance, toughness, and physicality on both ends of the floor, Young and his staff spent the offseason adding dynamism on offense as well as athleticism and length throughout the lineup.
Overall, BYU may now have its most balanced starting five in program history. And of course, super freshman AJ Dybabtsa checks every box Young hoped to fill this offseason. A potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dybabtsa is arguably the most well-rounded power forward in college basketball. A world-class athlete with an excellent handle, high basketball IQ, and legitimate two-way impact, he’s being encouraged by Young to play even more assertively on offense—his unique blend of skills makes him one of the most dangerous downhill creators in the nation. While he projects as a perimeter threat at the NBA level, his three-point shot remains his only current weakness.
Transferring in from Baylor is sophomore point guard Robert O. Wright, who turned heads last year with a 22-point, 4-assist performance against UConn. Despite his youth, Wright plays with poise and maturity and stands out as one of the most well-rounded two-way point guards in the country. Last year’s BYU team lacked a guard capable of consistently breaking down defenses and attacking the rim—Wright fills that need.
Richie Saunders, the Big 12’s Most Improved Player and a First-Team All-Big 12 selection last season, led the Cougars in scoring, posting a baker’s dozen of 20-plus-point games. A natural scorer who can create his own shot in multiple ways and stretch the floor, Saunders is a lethal offensive weapon—though defense is not his strong suit.
To balance Saunders’ defensive shortcomings, Southern Illinois transfer Kennard Davis brings legitimate 3-and-D NBA potential. Young believes Davis can develop into one of the most versatile defenders in the Big 12. With his combination of defensive prowess, three-point shooting, and slashing ability, Davis embodies the modern analytical ideal—when he scores, it’s almost always from three or at the rim. Quick injury note: Davis missed Tuesday’s game against Delaware for "precautionary reasons” but Young told reporters he “could have played today” and “should be fine”. Not sure if that’s coach speak a la Belicheck, but interesting nonetheless.
Hailing from Adama Sanogo’s hometown of Bamako, Mali, senior big man Keba Keita provides a stout frame, deft footwork, and defensive leadership as BYU’s anchor in the paint. Last season, Keita set program records for single-season field goal percentage (67.3%) and ranks fourth all-time in offensive rebounds per game (2.86). Having never averaged more than 21 minutes per game in a season, Young’s focus this year is to push Keita’s conditioning to keep him on the floor longer.
While BYU has experimented with deeper rotations against mid-major opponents, only eight players saw significant minutes against Villanova.
Sixth-year senior Dawson Baker serves as BYU’s sixth man and Wright’s primary backup. A bigger combo guard and efficient all-around scorer, Baker can be mistake-prone at the point and is arguably BYU’s weakest defender.
Like Baker, senior forward Mihailo Boskovic can be a defensive liability but offers more offensive versatility than any other BYU big. Attempting two threes per game last season (26.8%), Boskovic adds valuable five-out spacing to the offense.
Idaho transfer Tyler Mrus has yet to score this season, but he’s a career 37.6% three-point shooter, so I can see him getting good minutes if Davis is out. If that happens, the offense shouldn’t take a major hit, but the defense will.
While Austrian guard Aleksej Kostic, redshirt freshman transfer from Washington Dominique Diomande and top-40 freshman big Xavion Staton have yet to enter Young’s core rotation, Senegal native Khadim Mboup is the only other freshman besides Dybabtsa to earn regular minutes. Since arriving on campus from the NBA Academy in December, Mboup has added 20 pounds and looks more athletic and explosive than ever. Though still raw, his defensive versatility stands out, and Young has experimented with “three-big” lineups featuring Davis at the 2, Dybabtsa at the 3, and Mboup at the 4—giving BYU two elite, switchable 6'9" defenders. If Mboup continues to develop, BYU’s upward trajectory should only continue.
Speaking of that lineup, given UConn’s overall size and offensive versatility, Young may prefer that configuration despite its spacing concerns—since only Wright and Davis are consistent three-point threats. Expect Davis to guard Solo Ball and Dybabtsa to draw the Karaban assignment. The biggest offensive advantage for BYU may come from exploiting whoever Saunders is guarding, while lineups featuring Baker and lacking Keita will almost certainly take a defensive hit.
Either way, it should be a fun homecoming matchup for AJD and “UConn North.” Wish I could be there in person!
He impressed in his rookie campaign, as the Cougars reached the Sweet Sixteen and their 26 wins marked the most ever for a head coach’s debut season in program history. The team was built around a top-ten pace-and-space offense that prioritized excellent shooting, ball movement, and a heavy perimeter attack. While BYU rebounded well on both ends, its subpar defense—particularly poor perimeter coverage—and occasional lapses in overall toughness limited the team’s ceiling.
Seeking more balance, toughness, and physicality on both ends of the floor, Young and his staff spent the offseason adding dynamism on offense as well as athleticism and length throughout the lineup.
Overall, BYU may now have its most balanced starting five in program history. And of course, super freshman AJ Dybabtsa checks every box Young hoped to fill this offseason. A potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dybabtsa is arguably the most well-rounded power forward in college basketball. A world-class athlete with an excellent handle, high basketball IQ, and legitimate two-way impact, he’s being encouraged by Young to play even more assertively on offense—his unique blend of skills makes him one of the most dangerous downhill creators in the nation. While he projects as a perimeter threat at the NBA level, his three-point shot remains his only current weakness.
Transferring in from Baylor is sophomore point guard Robert O. Wright, who turned heads last year with a 22-point, 4-assist performance against UConn. Despite his youth, Wright plays with poise and maturity and stands out as one of the most well-rounded two-way point guards in the country. Last year’s BYU team lacked a guard capable of consistently breaking down defenses and attacking the rim—Wright fills that need.
Richie Saunders, the Big 12’s Most Improved Player and a First-Team All-Big 12 selection last season, led the Cougars in scoring, posting a baker’s dozen of 20-plus-point games. A natural scorer who can create his own shot in multiple ways and stretch the floor, Saunders is a lethal offensive weapon—though defense is not his strong suit.
To balance Saunders’ defensive shortcomings, Southern Illinois transfer Kennard Davis brings legitimate 3-and-D NBA potential. Young believes Davis can develop into one of the most versatile defenders in the Big 12. With his combination of defensive prowess, three-point shooting, and slashing ability, Davis embodies the modern analytical ideal—when he scores, it’s almost always from three or at the rim. Quick injury note: Davis missed Tuesday’s game against Delaware for "precautionary reasons” but Young told reporters he “could have played today” and “should be fine”. Not sure if that’s coach speak a la Belicheck, but interesting nonetheless.
Hailing from Adama Sanogo’s hometown of Bamako, Mali, senior big man Keba Keita provides a stout frame, deft footwork, and defensive leadership as BYU’s anchor in the paint. Last season, Keita set program records for single-season field goal percentage (67.3%) and ranks fourth all-time in offensive rebounds per game (2.86). Having never averaged more than 21 minutes per game in a season, Young’s focus this year is to push Keita’s conditioning to keep him on the floor longer.
While BYU has experimented with deeper rotations against mid-major opponents, only eight players saw significant minutes against Villanova.
Sixth-year senior Dawson Baker serves as BYU’s sixth man and Wright’s primary backup. A bigger combo guard and efficient all-around scorer, Baker can be mistake-prone at the point and is arguably BYU’s weakest defender.
Like Baker, senior forward Mihailo Boskovic can be a defensive liability but offers more offensive versatility than any other BYU big. Attempting two threes per game last season (26.8%), Boskovic adds valuable five-out spacing to the offense.
Idaho transfer Tyler Mrus has yet to score this season, but he’s a career 37.6% three-point shooter, so I can see him getting good minutes if Davis is out. If that happens, the offense shouldn’t take a major hit, but the defense will.
While Austrian guard Aleksej Kostic, redshirt freshman transfer from Washington Dominique Diomande and top-40 freshman big Xavion Staton have yet to enter Young’s core rotation, Senegal native Khadim Mboup is the only other freshman besides Dybabtsa to earn regular minutes. Since arriving on campus from the NBA Academy in December, Mboup has added 20 pounds and looks more athletic and explosive than ever. Though still raw, his defensive versatility stands out, and Young has experimented with “three-big” lineups featuring Davis at the 2, Dybabtsa at the 3, and Mboup at the 4—giving BYU two elite, switchable 6'9" defenders. If Mboup continues to develop, BYU’s upward trajectory should only continue.
Speaking of that lineup, given UConn’s overall size and offensive versatility, Young may prefer that configuration despite its spacing concerns—since only Wright and Davis are consistent three-point threats. Expect Davis to guard Solo Ball and Dybabtsa to draw the Karaban assignment. The biggest offensive advantage for BYU may come from exploiting whoever Saunders is guarding, while lineups featuring Baker and lacking Keita will almost certainly take a defensive hit.
Either way, it should be a fun homecoming matchup for AJD and “UConn North.” Wish I could be there in person!
