The departure of Mark Pope and the arrival of Kevin Young have significantly changed the narrative surrounding BYU basketball. After an unexpected level of success in his first Big 12 season, Pope’s departure seemed like a potential death blow to the program.
With top players like Aly Khalifa entering the transfer portal and a major void at the head coaching position, BYU basketball looked set for a long and painful rebuild. Then the show made a historic move by bringing in Kevin Young.
Kevin Young joined BYU after rising through the ranks of the NBA and G-League, becoming the highest-paid assistant coach in the league. His experience in the world of basketball, especially his experience in building powerful and extremely effective offenses in the NBA, is greatly appreciated. During his introductory press conference in Provo, Young expressed his goal of making BYU a premier destination for players with NBA aspirations.
Young has already dealt three of BYU’s top-rated recruits in Brody Kozlowski, Elijah Crawford and elite international player Egor Demin, not to mention top transfers Keiba Keita and Mawot Mag. Top 2025 prospect AJ Dybantsa He also visited BYU, another sign of a promising future.
The NBA’s secret sauce
A key aspect of Young’s recruiting pitch is his extensive NBA experience. Young’s ability to bridge the worlds of college and professional basketball, showcasing his work with stars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul, gives future recruits insight into his path to the NBA. Devin Booker mentioned that he would have liked to be able to play college basketball with “KY.”
“KYU.”
Devin Booker in #Suns Assistant Kevin Young goes to BYU.
“I’m excited for him and his family. Someone I developed a great relationship with. Someone I wish I could have played college basketball for.”
Young was Booker’s player development coach.
“He got a good deal.” pic.twitter.com/Yd5LLuCycY
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 17, 2024
High standards, no distractions
BYU’s strict honor code, sometimes seen as a barrier to recruiting, can also be a strength. Creates a distraction-free environment that allows for athletic and personal development. Young will likely emphasize this point, inviting recruits to view BYU as a place where they can focus solely on becoming NBA-ready players.
Legendary environment
In addition to its disciplined environment, BYU offers state-of-the-art training facilities and a strong national presence across the Big 12. The Marriott Center, known for its incredible home field advantage courtesy of the ROC, is the icing on the cake. cake.
Under the leadership of Kevin Young, BYU basketball is on a comeback. With top recruits and a clear vision, the program is positioned to succeed in the competitive landscape of college basketball and the Big 12. Now, of course, all of that has to translate into wins. From what we can judge at this time, Young’s strategic approach, smart recruiting and deep connections to the NBA are transforming BYU into a desirable destination for the best of the best, promising an exciting future for Cougar basketball.
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Keynote USA
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