Jake Wahlin's journey to BYU basketball was anything but straightforward, even if it seemed he'd be joining the program upon completion of his volunteer missionary service.
Despite the fact that Jake Wahlin, a former Timpview Thunderbird in BYU's backyard and notable LDS hooper, had absolutely every reason to consider making the jump over to Kevin Young's basketball program in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos, it took him three years of college experience to finally swing back to the program he initially committed to before his two-year missionary service.
From the University of Utah to Clemson in South Carolina, Wahlin has been a power conference athlete for his entire collegiate career, but still never linked up with his hometown program that was beginning to make waves at a national scale.
That was, until Kevin Young led an unexpected recruiting mission that intercepted Wahlin at the airport.
"I was talking to some other schools, had some visits lined up," Wahlin shared during a spot with BYU Sports Nation. "I mentioned Kansas State and some other Big 12 teams as well. I heard from [Kevin Young], he said he had rewatched my film, and we had a great conversation for 30 minutes or so."
"I was actually at the airport, heading to a [different] visit," the BYU forward admitted in retrospect. Bringing to mind images of Coach Young and his recruiting staff lurking in the shadows of the Salt Lake International Airport, ducking behind pillars and signaling ninjas to rappel down from the roof. "I gave that visit my full attention and really considered all my options."
"That night I called him back, and we had another great conversation for an hour or so. He helped me understand his vision for me. And he said [he] wanted to make sure it was the right basketball fit for me, and for my career."
"'Jake, let me be clear, the fact that wearing the BYU jersey means something to you is just an added bonus,'" Wahlin recalled Kevin Young emphasizing during their phone call, stressing the fact that basketball fit mattered most of all. "That was what I needed to hear."
.@WahlinJake shares his story on his path to BYU pic.twitter.com/R5EnB3P5Vf
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) April 22, 2026
Wahlin, a senior forward, brings plenty to this year's BYU team beyond simply being a member of the LDS faith and a native of Provo. As a leader and experienced college athlete, Wahlin was called to BYU basketball because Kevin Young believes he'll contribute directly to winning.
In his final season of college eligibility, Wahlin plans to do just that.
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