Top transfers and star recruits fuel BYU Final Four hopes

If you blinked, you may have missed it—BYU has quietly built one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball.

Since the final buzzer of their Sweet 16 run, the Cougars have gone full throttle in the transfer portal, pulling together a roster that blends proven experience with top-tier talent. Head coach Kevin Young isn’t just trying to make the NCAA Tournament again—he’s aiming for a Final Four.

Let’s start with the headliners. Former Baylor guard Robert Wright, a top-10 transfer nationally, brings Big 12-tested toughness and playmaking. He’ll slot in alongside returning contributors Richie Saunders. and Dawson Baker, who were instrumental in last year’s 26-win campaign.

But the real buzz surrounds AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. At 6-foot-8, the five-star forward offers elite athleticism and pro-level scoring instincts. Add in center Keba Keita, who started all 35 games last season, and BYU’s starting five becomes one of the most balanced in the nation.

The depth? Equally impressive.

BYU recently landed Nate Pickens, a sharpshooter from UC Riverside who knocked down 39.2% from three last season. Alongside Dominique Diomande (Washington), Kennard Davis (Southern Illinois), and. Tyler Mrus (Idaho), the Cougars suddenly have one of the Big 12’s deepest rotations.

How good is this group? CBS Sports currently ranks BYU No. 3 in their preseason Top 25 And 1. This isn’t just a strong offseason—it might be the best in the country. The message is clear: BYU isn’t rebuilding. They’re coming for it all.