As the transfer portal opens for the offseason, college programs are in the race to snag the best for their roster. The BYU Cougars are no strangers to this game, and they are set to make significant changes to their team, both by adding new players and letting some go.
Following a 2024-25 season that ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Alabama, the Cougars are reshaping their lineup under head coach Kevin Young to pursue a deeper NCAA Tournament run next season.
BYU Cougars Transfer Portal Overview
Players Leaving BYU
Several players have opted to leave BYU via the transfer portal following this season.
G Dallin Hall: A 6’4″ junior guard who averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 assists per game in 2024-25, Hall entered the transfer portal last week. After three seasons and 100 games at BYU, he’s seeking a starting role and potentially a better NIL deal elsewhere with one year of eligibility left. His next destination remains unconfirmed.
F Kanon Catchings: This former four-star recruit averaged 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, starting 15 of 31 games in his lone BYU season. The freshman entered the portal on March 29 after showing flashes of NBA potential.
G Elijah Crawford: A 6’1″ freshman guard and former Stanford signee, Crawford entered the transfer portal on March 31, 2025, after one season at BYU. His role was limited due to a crowded backcourt, and specific stats are sparse, indicating minimal on-court impact. His next stop is still TBD.
Additionally, four players are exiting due to graduation, not the transfer portal. These departures free up scholarships but reflect expected roster turnover rather than portal activity.
- F Mawot Mag
- F Fousseyni Traore
- G Trevin Knell
- G Trey Stewart
Players Joining BYU
BYU has already secured one incoming transfer for the 2025-26 season, with more expected as the portal window progresses.
G Dominique Diomande: A 6’7″ athletic wing from Washington, Diomande committed to BYU on March 29, 2025, just two days after entering the portal.
Having redshirted his freshman year at Washington after arriving midseason from France, he brings length, athleticism, and 3-and-D potential to the Cougars’ rotation.
Beyond transfers, BYU welcomes two high-profile freshmen: AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class and a projected NBA Draft top pick, and Xavion Staton, a four-star big man, both set to enroll in April 2025. While not portal additions, they significantly improve the roster.
As of April 7, 2025, Diomande is the only confirmed transfer addition, but BYU’s staff is likely targeting more players to fill open scholarships before the portal closes on April 22, 2025.
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The departures of Hall, Catchings, and Crawford thin BYU’s depth. Hall’s 6.8 points and 4.2 assists are replaceable, though his experience will be missed. Catchings’ exit sacrifices upside for fit, given his defensive struggles, while Crawford’s minimal role makes his departure negligible.
The graduating seniors, Mag, Traore, Knell, and Stewart, leave bigger gaps, particularly in the frontcourt and on defense.
Diomande’s arrival can complement Dybantsa and potentially Richie Saunders—if he returns. However, the roster’s stability hinges on whether G Egor Demin and Saunders return or pursue the NBA Draft, decisions due by late May.
Head coach Kevin Young has embraced the transfer portal to reshape BYU since taking over in 2024. With up to six scholarships potentially open, Young is targeting a big man to replace Traore, a perimeter defender to offset Mag and Stewart’s defensive loss, and possibly a point guard if Demin departs—all to support an up-tempo, pro-style system.
Future Outlook
With seven scholarships accounted for (four graduates, three portal exits, Diomande, Dybantsa, and Staton) out of 13, BYU has 3-6 spots to fill, depending on Demin, Saunders, and Baker’s choices. The Cougars are all set to remain Big 12 contenders if they retain key returners and land impactful transfers.
BYU basketball is going through the transfer portal with a mix of ups and downs. While the losses of Hall, Catchings, and Crawford hint at significant change, the arrivals of Diomande, Dybantsa, and Staton, plus potential additions, position the Cougars to elevate their trajectory in the Big 12.
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