Mark Pope ‘Out of His Mind’ Excited About 2025–26 Roster: A Glimpse into BYU’s Brightest Future Yet
PROVO, Utah — June 4, 2025
BYU head coach Mark Pope leaned forward in his chair, eyes gleaming, voice trembling with energy as he addressed a packed media room at the Marriott Center. “I’m out of my mind excited,” he said, pausing for dramatic effect. “This roster… this group… this is the one we’ve been building toward.”
The 2025–26 BYU Cougars men’s basketball team, on paper, is the most electrifying group ever assembled under Pope’s tenure. But it’s not just the talent that has him grinning from ear to ear—it’s the perfect storm of experience, athleticism, and locker room synergy.
A Roster Unlike Any Other
The cornerstone of the hype is sophomore point guard Zion Carter, a 6’4” floor general who turned down late offers from Kansas and UCLA last summer to honor his early commitment to BYU. He dazzled in his freshman campaign, averaging 14.7 points and 6.1 assists, but it’s his growth over the offseason that has Pope “losing sleep—not out of worry, but out of sheer anticipation.”
Beside him, sharpshooter Luka Draganovic returns for his senior year, now armed with a 212-pound frame and a quicker release. The 6’8” Serbian forward drained 45% of his threes last season and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors. “He’s a walking heat check,” Pope said. “He can shift momentum in ten seconds flat.”
Then there’s Kelechi Maduabuchi, the 6’10” Nigerian center and transfer from Georgia Tech who shocked everyone by choosing BYU over UConn and Arizona. A defensive juggernaut with a 7’4” wingspan, Maduabuchi led the ACC in blocks last season. “He’s our anchor,” Pope said. “We finally have a true rim protector who can also rim-run like a gazelle.”
The X-Factors
The roster is not only top-heavy—it’s deep. Junior wing Braden Cox, a local product from Herriman High, came into his own last season as a gritty two-way player, often guarding opponents’ best scorers. And off the bench, expect fireworks from freshman phenom Emilio Hernández, the first five-star recruit in BYU history. Hailing from San Antonio, Hernández averaged 28.9 points per game in Texas’s ultra-competitive 6A division.
“He’s the most instinctive scorer I’ve ever recruited,” Pope said. “He doesn’t just play the game—he bends it to his will.”
A New Identity
What sets this group apart isn’t just their stat lines—it’s the chemistry. Team captain Luka Draganovic recently organized a week-long training retreat in Park City, where players practiced twice daily, cooked their own meals, and held nightly leadership workshops. “We’re more than teammates now—we’re brothers,” Cox said.
Pope credits the evolution to his coaching staff’s unwavering focus on culture. “Skill is important, but culture wins March. This team? They’re already living it.”
Eyes on the Prize
The Cougars finished 22–11 last season, narrowly missing the Sweet Sixteen. But expectations for 2025–26 are sky-high. ESPN’s early projections rank BYU No. 9 nationally, with some analysts predicting a Final Four run.
“We’re not afraid of the moment anymore,” Pope said, eyes burning with conviction. “This roster isn’t just ready—they’re hungry. And I can’t wait to unleash them on the world.”
As the cameras clicked and questions flew, one thing became clear: Pope wasn’t bluffing. In his sixth year at the helm, with his dream roster finally in place, he sees no ceiling—only possibility.
And for BYU fans? The madness may just be beginning.
