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BYU Basketball Lands Game-Changing Guard Nate Pickens

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 25, 2025 3:12 PM ET

When Nate Pickens walked off the Marriott Center court last November after torching BYU for 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, he had one thought: What if this was home?

“That was probably the best environment, college basketball-wise, that I have ever played in,” Pickens said when he recently spoke the Deseret News. “The support the fans gave BYU was just amazing.”

Six months later, the 6-foot-3 guard from El Mirage, Arizona, is officially a Cougar. After three seasons at UC Riverside, Pickens entered the transfer portal hoping to elevate his game on a bigger stage. BYU answered within 24 hours.

Pickens, who averaged 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and shot a sharp 39.2% from deep in the 2023–24 season, chose BYU over offers from Fordham, UC Santa Barbara, and several Power Four programs. His decision was influenced heavily by the NBA pedigree of new BYU head coach Kevin Young and his staff.

“They sold it pretty good, honestly,” Pickens said. “If you want to be a pro, I just felt like this was the best place to be.”

Pickens’ versatility will be a major asset. While BYU brought in former five-star point guard Robert Wright IV to steer the offense, Pickens sees himself as a combo guard who can play both the one and two.

“I’ll probably start out more at the two, but I’ll definitely grow into being the backup point guard, for sure,” he said. “That’s the plan.”

Beyond the stat sheet, Pickens brings intangibles that make an impact — leadership, maturity, and an unshakable work ethic rooted in his faith-based upbringing.

“I am a hard worker and a bright kid with a great attitude,” Pickens said. “I’m just going to try to impact the school in a positive way, on and off the court.”

With one year of eligibility left, Pickens sees Provo as his springboard to the pros. And Cougar Nation should be just as excited. BYU didn’t just land a shooter — they landed a leader, a grinder, and a player with something to prove.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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