Dallin Hall suffered a toe injury shortly before the season started and has yet to suit up this year. Kevin Young has said he expects Hall to return in November. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him return this Saturday versus Mississippi Valley State to he gets some run in before BYU’s Thanksgiving tournament.
I expect Dallin to be a starter on this team, replacing Trevin Knell. Egor and Dallin practiced together all summer before Dallin’s toe injury, so the staff has had a good idea of how to use both players together.
I don’t feel comfortable sharing specifics on Keba. But let’s pretend for the sake of this conversation that he misses some time.
If Keba is out then it’s obvious to assume that Fouss will step into his spot in the starting 5. Fouss is a proven 4-year player and his coming off a career high 29 points versus Idaho. Mihailo Boskovic would be next in line to get additional minutes
AJ Dybantsa Update
Received several questions on AJ, so I’ll begin there.
Before going into the intel I’m hearing, I’ll give what the national guys are saying. AJ’s dad has said that AJ would commit in February, but 247 Sports and On3 have both reported that AJ will likely commit in late November or early December. Joe Tipton of On3 said Wednesday that he considers BYU and Alabama as the two leaders — with BYU “the favorite as of today” — and Kansas State a “sleeper.”
BYU has recruited Nate Ament fairly healthily. Ament is a 5-star wing and #4 player in the 2025 class. BYU has seen him multiple times in person and have maintained contact with him for a few months now. That part I know for sure. The next part is educated speculation on part. Part of how BYU recruits Ament will depend on what AJ does. If AJ commits to BYU, I don’t think BYU would ratchet up their pursuit of Ament. Ament would cost a material amount of NIL, and if I were BYU I would prioritize veteran players in the portal since they would have AJ and Xavion on board for next season. If you want to compete for a national title, you can’t have too many of your top players be freshmen. If AJ does not commit to BYU, that’s where I could see BYU’s pursuit of Ament picking up. BYU could move some of those NIL funds they earmarked for Dybantsa over to Ament.
Additionally, I think you can pencil in BYU commit Khadim Mboup to enroll at BYU in the next month before winter semester begins. He’s finishing up some classes at Utah Prep and then is expected to join the team in late December. I expect him to redshirt this season. Khadim is a 6-foot-9 forward who has good long-term upside due to his length and athleticism.
So far from what I’ve seen of BYU, and believe me, it’s early, Demin is the only one that should go into the NBA draft next year. Sometimes the Europeans are ready at an earlier age than Americans, probably do to structural differences, are more prepared. Catchings is going to be really good, but he may need another year under Young. Crawford is the same, but so far not as ready as Catchings. Of course Saunders and Hall will probably jump, depending on NBA evaluations. Foos and Keba-gone. Interesting times for BYU basketball
Most of its adaptation and confidence. Not sure both of them wouldn’t benefit from another year under Young, but if Catchings gets his shots down he will be gone. Too much size, speed and smoothness to hang around.
I think Koz is planning a mission.
I also think Catchings would improve his draft stock with another year.
We lost JJ Manafor but all signs point to AJ Dybantsa will be a cougar.
yes, we lose Foos and Keba but gain hopefully Xavion, a 7’er and Boskovic stays?
Yeh it’s crazy, but it’s been going on with the top tier basketball schools for some time now. One and done. It’s one of the reasons that certain schools don’t dominate any more like UCLA, DUKE, KENTUCKY, and North Carolina used to.
Players want the big money now. Can you imagine an 18 year old like Demin, how good a college ball player he would be with 3 more years of college. But he will be gone next year and who knows how the NBA will work out for these kids. The NBA is a tough physical league. Have you noticed how many injuries are happening in the NBA lately?
For every success story there are probably 10 failures. For Demin it’s probably a multi million dollar deal. Not sure Hall and Saunders will make it in the NBA, though. Maybe Foos. Hopefully they will have their education
I think Fouss has a zero% chance to play in the NBA. Hall under 5%.
Saunders: zero chance to be drafted, but good chance to sign as FA and get a G league deal which at least gives him a shot. Saunders has the athleticism to play at that level but I don’t think he has the handle to play guard at that level. And he is my favorite BYU player BY A MILE so I’m doing all I can to make his case!
Just my opinion. Hope Hall surprises me! I expect him to have a very good season this year.
I look at a guy like Sam Merril, who played with my nephew back in high school days and club basketball, and he has carved himself out a niche by being a very good shooter and a smart player. He isn’t super athletic or super quick but he understands the game and can shoot the ball. The only chance for Hall or any BYU player, other than Demin or Catchings, etc. for that matter, is finding a niche.
I don’t know with Fouss. Such a wide strong body. He could make a niche inside. Hall, if his shot has improved he has a shot. Sander’s is just in that hight where there are so many great players. Doesn’t mean he can’t.
player he would be with 3 more years of college. But he will be gone next year and who knows how the NBA will work out for these kids. The NBA is a tough physical league. Have you noticed how many injuries are happening in the NBA lately?