Comprehensive 2026-27 BYU Basketball Roster Update
Kevin Young enters his third season as BYU head coach with a roster that could look very different by season tip-off. Filmogaz.com will track changes through the offseason in a Comprehensive 2026-27 BYU Basketball Roster Update.
NBA watch: Dybantsa and Wright
Freshman AJ Dybantsa delivered one of BYU’s most decorated seasons. He won the Julius Erving Award as college basketball’s top small forward.
Dybantsa arrived at BYU as the No. 1 overall recruit. He is widely projected as a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He has not yet publicly declared his final decision.
Rob Wright III also attracted pro attention. Wright earned Third Team All-Big 12 honors and said he plans to be in a BYU jersey if he plays college ball next season.
Players with eligibility remaining
Retention will shape BYU’s roster construction. Eleven players from last season still have collegiate eligibility.
- Abdullah “Bido” Ahmed
- Kennard Davis Jr.
- Dominique Diomande
- AJ Dybantsa
- Aleksej Kostic
- Brody Kozlowski
- Khadim Mboup
- Tyler Mrus
- KJ Perry
- Nate Pickens
- Rob Wright III
Rob Wright III and Kennard Davis Jr. were regular starters last season. Aleksej Kostic earned a starting role late, beginning BYU’s final five games.
Medical redshirt candidate: Dawson Baker
Guard Dawson Baker suffered a season-ending injury in the Thanksgiving win over Miami (FL). His injuries included a torn ACL and multiple associated knee and leg traumas.
Baker shot 38 percent from three during BYU’s Sweet 16 season in 2024-25. Coaches discussed the possibility of a medical redshirt if he met timing and games-played criteria.
Baker has exhausted multiple college seasons, served a mission in Guam, and is several years removed from high school.
Departures and exhausted eligibility
Four players appear to have no remaining eligibility. Their departures will open roster spots and minutes.
- Richie Saunders — All-Big 12 performer who suffered a season-ending ACL late in the year.
- Keba Keita — two-year starting center, averaged 6.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
- Mihailo Boskovic — reserve frontcourt player who started after Saunders’ injury.
- Jared McGregor — four-year walk-on guard.
Incoming freshmen and signees
BYU continues to add high-end talent. Kevin Young has recruited a string of five-star freshmen into his first three seasons.
Bruce Branch III is the headline freshman for 2026-27. Branch is a 17-year-old, catch-and-shoot wing who starred at Perry High in Gilbert, Arizona. He later transferred to Prolific Prep in Florida and projects as a potential 2027 NBA lottery pick.
Dean Rueckert, a Timpview product, rose among the 2026 class and reached No. 42 in Rivals’ rankings. He is expected to join the program later this month.
Also in BYU’s recruiting picture is Bahr, a combo guard from Keller, Texas. He signed with BYU in the 2024 recruiting class and chose the Cougars over several other programs.
Transfer portal and roster construction
Kevin Young emphasized the transfer window will be hectic. He described the process as one where coaches must prepare for rapid change.
Former four-star center Xavion Staton was among the first BYU players to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal in early April.
How many returners stay will depend on role clarity and alignment with the coaching staff. Retention and incoming talent will determine BYU’s depth chart for 2026-27.
Filmogaz.com will continue updating this Comprehensive 2026-27 BYU Basketball Roster Update through the spring and summer. Mitch Harper remains a primary BYU insider and will provide ongoing coverage of roster moves.
