No program in college basketball has had a more impactful offseason than the BYU Cougars. Following a 23–11 campaign and NCAA Tournament berth in Kevin Young’s first season, BYU has assembled one of the most impressive offseason hauls in college basketball, headlined by consensus No. 1 prospect AJ Dybantsa.
BYU Overhauls Roster with Solid Offseason
With the addition of eight new players and the return of key contributors, the Cougars now hold the No. 3 spot in Version 11 of the CBS Sports “Top 25 And 1” preseason rankings entering the 2025–26 season.
Head coach Kevin Young has overseen a transformative spring, with BYU adding depth, size, athleticism, and scoring through both the high school and transfer ranks.
The biggest splash came from Dybantsa, a 6’8″ wing and McDonald’s All-American widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2025 class. Dybantsa, who played at Utah Prep last season, is expected to step into a starring role from day one.
No one in college basketball is having a better offseason than BYU.
The Cougars are adding elite talent:
5⭐️ Fr. AJ Dybantsa
5⭐️ So. Rob Wright III (Baylor)
4⭐️ Jr. Kennard Davis Jr. (SIU)
4⭐️ Fr. Xavion Staton
4⭐️ Fr. Chamberlain Burgess
3⭐️ Jr. Tyler Mrus (Idaho)
3⭐️ RS Fr.… pic.twitter.com/7YGW82p55c— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 7, 2025
Joining forces with him is Rob Wright III, a former five-star prospect who spent his freshman season at Baylor. The 6’0″ point guard averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 assists while starting in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. Wright is expected to take over primary point guard duties for BYU, filling the void left by NBA-bound Egor Demin.
Another major addition is Kennard Davis Jr., a 6’6″ wing from Southern Illinois. Davis averaged 16.3 points and 4.9 rebounds last season while shooting 38% from three. His ability to play either wing position and score in multiple ways makes him a valuable two-way contributor.
Among the incoming freshmen, 6’11” center Xavion Staton stands out. A four-star recruit and No. 37 player nationally (per 247Sports), Staton is known for his shot-blocking and rebounding. The frontcourt will also include 6-foot-8 Chamberlain Burgess, a skilled four-star forward from Utah.
The Cougars also secured depth from the portal, including 6’3″ guard Nate Pickens from UC Riverside. Pickens averaged 9.8 points per game last season while shooting 39.2% from three on over three attempts per game. His perimeter shooting fits BYU’s system, which ranked among the top in three-point attempts nationally.
Additional pieces include Dominique Diomande, a 6’5″ wing who redshirted last season, and Tyler Mrus, a junior transfer from Idaho.
Richie Saunders Returns to Anchor BYU’s Veteran Core
Amid a transformative offseason, BYU also secured the return of several core contributors. Chief among them is Richie Saunders, who announced his decision to return for his senior season.
A First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024–25, Saunders averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while leading the Cougars in minutes and offering consistency on both ends of the floor.
His return is expected to provide stability to a roster undergoing significant changes. Saunders will likely form one of the most dynamic duos in the country alongside AJ Dybantsa, who cited Saunders’ leadership as a key factor in his decision to join BYU. The two developed chemistry during open workouts in Provo last winter.
In addition to Saunders, forward Keba Keita and guard Dawson Baker will also return, giving BYU important continuity and experience around their highly touted newcomers.
Keep Reading: Comparing AJ Dybantsa to LeBron James, Kevin Young Shares BYU Star’s Plans to Conquer NCAA
As preseason practices begin inside the Marriott Center Annex, expectations are higher in Provo than they have been in years. With a combination of elite young talent, experienced transfers, and returning production, BYU is poised to contend for the Big 12 title and make a deep postseason run in 2026.
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