Winning in the Big 12 isn't just about having the biggest NIL bag anymore. Honestly, if you've been watching the madness in Provo lately, you know the vibe has shifted. It’s not the "good old days" of recruiting.
Kevin Young didn't come from the Phoenix Suns to play small ball or hunt for three-star projects in the local church leagues. He came to turn BYU into a pro-style factory. And the BYU transfer portal basketball strategy is the engine making that happen.
But here is the thing: everyone focuses on the five-star freshmen like AJ Dybantsa. Sure, he’s the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and he’s currently dropping nearly 23 points a game. He’s a human highlight reel. But Dybantsa isn't the whole story. The real "secret sauce" of this No. 11 ranked Cougars squad is how Young used the portal to surround his superstars with absolute "dogs" who have already seen the bright lights of high-major basketball.
The Robert Wright III Theft
Let’s talk about Robert Wright III. When he left Baylor, half the Big 12 was stunned. You don't usually see a guy with his pedigree—an All-Freshman selection who averaged double figures—just walk away from a perennial power like Scott Drew’s program to join a team that’s still technically "the new kid" in the conference.
Basically, Wright is the straw that stirs the drink. He’s averaging 17.4 points right now, but it’s his pace that changes everything. He plays like he’s got a GPS for the rim. Most fans expected him to be a secondary piece to Dybantsa, but he’s proven to be a co-star. Without that specific portal get, BYU is just a bunch of talented wings with nobody to deliver the ball.
Why the "International Portal" is different
Kevin Young is doing something sorta weird—but in a brilliant way. He’s treating the international market like an extension of the NCAA transfer portal.
Look at Mihailo Boskovic. Or even the recent addition of Abdullah Ahmed, the 6-foot-10 center from Egypt who came via the Westchester Knicks. These aren't your typical transfers. They are "pro-ready" bodies. While other coaches are begging a 20-year-old from the MAC to come play defense, Young is looking at guys who have already played against grown men in Europe or the G-League.
It’s a different kind of roster building. It’s cold. It’s calculated. It’s professional.
The Mid-Major "Snipers"
You can't just have stars. You need guys who are willing to stand in the corner and ruin a defensive coordinator's life.
- Kennard Davis Jr. (Southern Illinois): This was an underrated masterclass. He was a 16-point scorer in the Missouri Valley. Now? He’s the guy hitting the back-breaking threes when teams double-team Dybantsa.
- Nate Pickens (UC Riverside): A veteran guard who provides that "senior's touch" off the bench.
- Tyler Mrus (Idaho): He brings size (6'7") and a 38% clip from deep.
These aren't "sexy" names that trend on X (formerly Twitter) during the commitment window. But they are the reason BYU has only lost one game so far in the 2025-26 season.
The Big 12 Villain Arc
Is BYU becoming the "villain" of the Big 12? Kinda.
There’s been plenty of noise—mostly unverified rumors and "kvetching" from rival fanbases—about how BYU is using its NIL resources. Some rival coaches have even whispered about "improper contact" with players before they hit the portal.
Is it true? Probably not in the way the saltier fans think.
The reality is that BYU has a massive, wealthy alumni base that is finally "all-in" on basketball. When you combine that money with a coach who has NBA street cred, you don't need to "tamper." Players just want to be there. They want to play in a system that mirrors the NBA, and they want to do it in front of a sold-out Marriott Center.
What’s Next: The 2026 Portal Cycle
As we sit here in January 2026, the portal is already starting to simmer. While the football team is seeing a flurry of activity (like landing Cade Uluave from Cal), the basketball staff is being more surgical.
They don't need 10 guys. They need maybe two.
With Richie Saunders and Keba Keita being seniors, the Cougars are going to have massive holes to fill in the frontcourt and on the wing. Expect Kevin Young to look for a "stretch four" in the portal this spring—someone who can replace the veteran leadership of Saunders while maintaining the spacing that Dybantsa and Wright have thrived in.
Key things to watch for in the coming months:
- Roster Retention: Keeping Robert Wright III for his junior year is priority number one. He’s an NBA prospect now, and the blue bloods will come calling.
- The "Big Man" Hunt: With Fousseyni Traore gone and Keita graduating, BYU needs a dominant, veteran interior presence. Expect them to target a P4 starter who wants a bigger NIL deal.
- Freshman Integration: How much can Xavion Staton give them? If the freshman center develops fast, it changes how many bigs they need to buy in the portal.
The days of BYU being a "developmental" program are over. This is a "reload" program. If you aren't watching the BYU transfer portal basketball moves, you're missing the blueprint for how to build a modern powerhouse.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
Keep a close eye on the "Entry Window" in March. BYU typically waits for the first wave of "hype" to die down before striking on high-IQ players who fit Kevin Young's specific NBA-lite offensive scheme. Don't panic if they don't land the first "big name" that enters; they are looking for efficiency metrics and defensive versatility over raw PPG.