Cougars Without Borders: BYU’s Defensive Duo Chase Overseas Glory
In a world where basketball continues to dissolve borders and redefine global competition, two standout defenders from Brigham Young University (BYU) are taking their talents far beyond Provo, Utah. Seniors Malik Sanders and Jacob “Jake” Halvorsen, known affectionately as “The Wall” and “The Hawk” by Cougar fans, are embarking on a new chapter in their careers—signing professional contracts to compete in the prestigious EuroLeague.
What makes this story compelling isn’t just the leap from NCAA to international hardwood—it’s how these two defensive phenoms carved their path through grit, faith, and an unshakable bond forged in the crucible of collegiate adversity.
Building the Wall in Provo
Malik Sanders, a 6’8” forward from Richmond, Virginia, didn’t arrive at BYU with the usual accolades. A late bloomer with an iron will, Sanders became the team’s emotional core and physical enforcer. His suffocating on-ball defense, 7’2” wingspan, and uncanny ability to disrupt passing lanes made him a nightmare for opposing forwards. Over four seasons, Sanders developed into a defensive anchor, culminating in his senior year where he averaged 2.1 blocks, 1.9 steals, and helped BYU rank top-10 nationally in defensive efficiency.
Eyes Like a Hawk
Jake Halvorsen, meanwhile, took a different route. A 6’4” guard from Boise, Idaho, he played with an almost spiritual intensity. Known for his film-room obsession and lightning-quick reflexes, Jake wasn’t the flashiest, but he was always one step ahead. His defensive IQ made him the Cougar’s de facto floor general on defense, often assigned to shut down the opposition’s top perimeter scorer. He finished his BYU career top-5 in steals and earned back-to-back All-WCC Defensive Team honors.
Together, Sanders and Halvorsen formed one of the most tenacious defensive duos in the program’s history—likened by fans to a modern-day Stockton and Malone, if defense were the currency of superstardom.
The Global Stage Beckons
Their journey didn’t end with college graduation. Following impressive performances at the 2025 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, the two were scouted by several European teams. Eventually, Sanders signed with Olympiacos B.C. in Greece, while Halvorsen joined ASVEL Basket in France. The two will now face each other not as teammates, but as rivals in one of the world’s most competitive professional circuits.
Yet, despite the new uniforms and time zones, they remain tethered by faith, friendship, and a shared mission to elevate not just their own careers, but the reputation of BYU basketball on the global map.
A Mission Beyond Basketball
Both athletes credit BYU’s unique culture and mission-driven environment for shaping their worldviews. During their sophomore year, they co-founded the Cougars Without Borders Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at using basketball clinics as a vehicle for youth empowerment in underserved communities abroad. Their off-court passion became a springboard for international attention, drawing praise from humanitarian circles as much as from scouts.
Now, as they cross continents, the defensive duo carries more than just stat sheets—they bring a vision.
The Legacy They Leave
BYU head coach Mark Pope summed it up best: “Malik and Jake weren’t just players; they were leaders, culture-setters. They brought purpose to defense and pride to the jersey. Now, they’re taking that purpose to the world.”
Whether locking down EuroLeague legends or mentoring kids in refugee camps, Sanders and Halvorsen embody a new kind of basketball ambassador. They are, truly, Cougars Without Borders—defenders not just of baskets, but of ideals. And their story is just beginning.
