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BYU basketball adds international sniper Aleksej Kostic out of Austria

Yet another weapon of mass destruction on Kevin Young's depth chart.
ByCalvin Barrett|
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the second half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the second half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Ok, this is really getting out of hand.

BYU basketball, after securing the top-rated player in the 2025 recruiting class (AJ Dybantsa), a 5-star transfer point guard from a rival Big 12 school (Rob Wright), a returning first-team All-Big 12 selection and king of spuds (Richie Saunders), plus an additional influx of talent capable of locking down on defense, drilling deep looks, and finishing strong above the rim, has made another deadly addition to the artillery.

Meet Aleksej Kostic, an Austrian nightmare and deadeye marksman with experience at the international level. A 20 year old expected to join the team as a freshman to provide a shooting strike.

The human mind cannot comprehend the amount of firepower available at Kevin Young's disposal in just his second season leading the charge in Provo. He promised professional grade players; welcome to a new status quo for the BYU basketball program.

His key feature and killer addition is his obvious affinity for launching from long range. He's a 3-point specialist, and he knocks them down at such a rate to support that aspiration. Catch. Shoot. Nylon. Simple stuff. He's just shy of being a 40% shooter during his time in the Austrian Superliga, but his ability to relocate and create his own shot goes overlooked.

Key to me, however, is his unheralded ability as an on-ball defensive stopper. Standing at 6'4", he likely slots in as a 2 guard for the team, but as one might notice from the highlight clip below, Aleksej keeps his chest between his assignment and the basket like his life depends on it. It's no wonder why he seems to collect so many deflections, he's a constant.

He will join BYU basketball for the upcoming season. With his addition, it seems the roster is at or nearing its final model before the season can officially begin. But with Kevin Young as head coach, I'm getting accustomed to being surprised.

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