I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but BYU basketball has its sights on another candidate to fill their vacancy at the center position.
This time, it's 6'11" big Ilia Frolov, a dynamic stretch center who can do damage from anywhere on the floor -- something BYU basketball missed dearly with three-point-deficient options like Keba Keita, Abdullah Ahmed, and Khadim Mboup playing the 5. Last season, Frolov played with Real Madrid's U22 squad and put up averages of 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 23 minutes per game. Frolov is looking to commit to a college basketball program this upcoming season, with Penn State, NC State, Arkansas, and others in the mix with BYU.
A defensive ace, Frolov is not, but perhaps with the benefit of Kevin Young's NBA program, diet, and workout regimen, he could bulk up a touch in Provo. When it comes to dynamic offense, however, Frolov excels.
Shooting a scoring 36% from three (scorching for his build, anyway), Frolov paired a reliable three-point jumper with an even more promising 84.6% free throw percentage, which is frequently viewed by scouts as an indicator of growth as a shooter.
He can finish at all three levels, but is especially adept at the rim and in pick-and-pop three-point actions. Frolov moves well for his position and has a refined inside game with well-practiced footwork both in face-up and post situations.
He makes up for his lack of elite rim protection with remarkable rebounding numbers (7.4 boards in 23 minutes is excellent), which was an area of concern for last season's team.
Scout Paul Biancardi rates Frolov as one of the top-rated 2008-born players in Europe (don't think too much about his birth date, or you'll slip into an existential crisis).
One of the BYU big man targets I’ve been monitoring https://t.co/aPLfp0dy3u
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) June 10, 2026
I know we've been hurt repeatedly by getting our hopes up for every starting center that has graced the rumor mill, so it would be wise to take BYU's connection to Frolov with some delicate consideration. He would be a terrific fit for next year's team, which promises to be a very strong three-point shooting squad, more in line with traditional BYU rosters than last year's side.
Frolov will get attention from some of the most talented recruiters in college basketball, and it'll be worth pondering just how high the Cougars would be willing to go in preparing an NIL package for a prospect of Frolov's ability.
For now, keep a finger on the pulse of Frolov's recruiting. I'll be certain to post more if BYU makes a move in the right direction.
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