BYU basketball is reportedly the frontrunner for a 7-foot international big man, Michael Ruzic, who is also under hot pursuit by programs like Kentucky (because of course), LSU, Arizona State, and more. The Cougars' starting five is in desperate need of a starting center, and after missing out on a number of appealing prospects, it seems like Kevin Young and Co. are back in the driver's seat once more.
I know you're tired of reading about BYU basketball's desperate hunt for a starting-level 7-foot center for their 2026 roster -- I'm tired of writing about it. But what happens when a problem isn't addressed? It becomes an even bigger problem. Yes, the fate of BYU basketball is in my hands, and the weight of the world on my shoulders. It's not easy holding the universe in balance all the time.
So if you're tired of having your heart broken by bad news on the recruiting frontier, only to reattach it, just to see it torn into pieces again, maybe you shouldn't get too invested in the recruiting race for a while. Luigi Suigo, the Italian who entered the NBA Draft, may not opt for the college route after all -- especially if he can get a first-round promise and a guaranteed NBA contract, as he flirts near the early second-round in most mock drafts.
But for Croatian Michael Ruzic, who leads with a scary three-point jumper and impressive mobility for a human being of gigantic proportions like his, his capacity to fill up the box score from deep makes him more of a forward, or backup center option for the Cougars.
As exciting a prospect as Ruzic is, and as good as he can become in the college ranks, most programs at BYU's level likely view him as more of a backup center, rather than the anchoring force down low of an Aday Mara, Motiejus Krivas-type.
Croatian F/C Michael Ružić has been receiving interest from Kentucky, per reports.
— Dylan (@BigBlueDylan) May 4, 2026
But it sounds like BYU is leading to land the 7’ Big Man. LSU, Arizona State also mentioned to me.
“BYU has been in on him since last year”
Will be tough for Coach Pope to out-pitch some of… pic.twitter.com/Hq2CxR9B4Z
BYU has been invested in his career for over a year, and could be primed to obtain his talents to fill out the 2026-27 roster where last year's squad lacked. As a backup big, you can't do much better than the big-bodied, feather-touched Ruzic. But if the Cougars can lock down his commitment, the search for 7-footers is still far from finished.
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