In his first season as head coach, Kevin Young has breathed new life into Brigham Young University’s men’s basketball program. Under his leadership, the Cougars finished with a 26–10 record and made their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2011, marking a major turnaround for the program.
Young, a Salt Lake City native and former associate head coach for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, was hired in April 2024 after Mark Pope’s departure to Kentucky. With years of experience coaching in the NBA and G League, Young brought a professional-level system to Provo, emphasizing a fast-paced offense, advanced analytics, and top-tier training.
His NBA-style strategies quickly paid off. BYU’s offense became one of the most efficient in the nation, helping the team notch impressive wins over ranked programs such as Kansas, Arizona, and Iowa State. A 91–57 blowout of #23 Kansas was a highlight — the largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in school history.
In the NCAA Tournament, BYU entered as a 6-seed and beat 11-seed VCU and 3-seed Wisconsin before falling to 2-seed Alabama in the Sweet 16. It was the program’s best tournament run in over a decade and a clear signal that BYU is on the rise nationally.
Key players this season included freshman guard Egor Demin, who averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. Demin earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors and is expected to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. Junior guard Richie Saunders also stood out, averaging 22 points per game in the NCAA Tournament and earning the Big 12 Most Improved Player award.
Perhaps the biggest sign of BYU’s new momentum is the commitment of AJ Dybantsa, the top-ranked player in the class of 2025 and a projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His decision to join BYU reflects the growing national recognition of the program under Coach Young.
Young has made it clear that he wants BYU to be a destination for future NBA players, and with this season’s success and high-profile recruits on the way, that vision is becoming a reality.
As BYU looks ahead, fans and analysts alike see a program on the rise, one that’s no longer just trying to compete — but aiming to contend at the highest levels of college basketball.
