BYU basketball is playing in a revolving door, and in one motion, they both lost and gained a center. Out of the picture is Jakub Urbaniak, a 6'9" Polish big whose eligibility remained in question after his years playing professionally in Europe. Entering the frame is 7'1" Serbian center Petar Ostojic, who is reportedly committed to BYU and currently on campus.
News: Polish Big man Jakub Urbaniak is returning to Europe after facing eligibility questions and will not join BYU.
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) September 10, 2026
Sources also tell me that 7-foot-1 Serbian big man Petar Ostojic has committed to BYU and is on campus. https://t.co/svP5vK5Tsp
Although it was never explicitly stated by BYU basketball or head coach Kevin Young, the Cougars' hunt for a starting center evolved into a quest to capture an elusive 7-footer. The type of player that could turn this BYU basketball team from a frisky opponent capable of stealing a game on any given night to the type of team that their opponents circle on the calendar. "BYU is coming up, and they're bringing a goliath."
But after months without positive news regarding Kevin Young's vacancy in the starting lineup, the conversation shifted from "7-footer or bust" to "please, oh please, just sign somebody".
That fear was somewhat quelled by the arrival of Urbaniak who arrived as the apparent starter for the Cougars. With him returning to the professional leagues out in Europe, Petar Ostojic takes his place in the lineup, if in a lesser position on the depth chart. McCombs projects the 19-year-old to fill a reserve role behind Jaxon Kohler (assuming he remains eligible) and Khadim Mboup, who broke out as an x-factor for Kevin Young and his shallow squad a season ago.
Ostojic has a lot of room for development, and could spend the majority of the season growing behind-the-scenes.
Long and gangly yet surprisingly under control, Ostojic does most of his damage in the short-range. It could be some time before he can be a difference-maker at his position, but if Kohler's eligibility evaporates before the season begins, Ostojic could find himself playing in a much larger role.
Meet BYU’s newest big man, Petar Ostojic! 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/zGkWafySUB
— Church Ball: A BYU Hoops Pod (@churchballpod) September 10, 2026
Ostojic is excellent insurance at the five, and a project to keep an eye on moving forward.
While he is a short-term downgrade from Urbaniak, whose doorframe notch was significantly lower than Ostojic's, the Cougars' new Serbian big is a developmental project, and a player who Kevin Young will hope to mold into an NBA-style center.
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