Welcome toMemoirs from the Mount, an adventure through the twisting catacombs of my ever-decaying stream of consciousness. From the solitary peak of Mount Fuji to the cascading slopes of Mount Timpanogos, I'm sending a telegram of my perspective on current events surroundingBYU athletics.
Don't blink. Don't look away. Don't lose focus for even a second, because if you do, you've already fallen prey to Rob Wright's trap. The Baylor transfer-turned-BYU guard is elusive, unpredictable, slippery. Like a bullet exploding from its chamber, the moment you realize he's been released, it is already far too late.
He's got every answer. He's the kid in class with his hand perpetually heavenward -- Wright's got the solution for nearly every problem.
Just as AJ Dybantsa, a player that the fates miraculously delivered to BYU basketball the very same season that Wright transferred to Provo (unbelievable that history has unfolded to lead into this very moment), Robert Wright's signature shot is inevitable, unstoppable, and simply designed to strike dread into the hearts of his adversaries. As AJ rules the mid-range, the close range is the weapon of choice for Mr. Wright. Which is curious, considering his 6-foot-1 frame. Most players of his stature would prefer to do their damage from distance. Tossing stones at the giants in the forest, hoping beyond hope that none of the beasts that roam the paint attempt to retaliate.
But not Rob. Rob Wright feels no fear. He tastes no blood. His dribble is lighting-quick, and his first step exceeds the speed at which a human defender could reasonably react. Like a batter stepping up to face a 100+ MPH pitcher with a nasty change-up, perimeter defenses are just guessing out there against BYU's point guard.
He's quick -- deadly so. A walking paint touch who's never more than a simple crossover or between-the-legs maneuver away from breaching the threshold of the key. And once he's in the paint, you'd better block his shot, or else that's an automatic two-points on the board for Kevin Young's boys in blue.
Layups are planted with a loving touch, jump-stop turnaround jumpers are placed deliberately into their new nylon home. He's a wizard who understands angles, player tendencies, and weaknesses in the opposition.
But when he's not too busy tormenting the interior defense, he'll gladly take the top off with one of the best pressure-release three-balls in all of college hoops. Attempting 4.2 three-pointers per outing, Wright is hitting a sizzling 44.7% of his attempts.
It's no wonder why he's averaging 17.4 points per game while sharing the court with two projected NBA Draft picks -- there is no response to a human blender like Wright when AJ Dybantsa and Richie Saunders are sharing the playing surface.
So when I scour NBA Draft boards and fail to come across Wright's name, I'm not sure whether to put on my detective cap or tin-foil hat. What on earth is everyone missing with this guy?
Could it be his size? That's the most likely culprit, as very few NBA point guards are shorter than even 6-foot-3 these days.
And yet, he's still averaging over 17 per night in the toughest, most NBA comparable league in college hoops. He's diming out over five assists per night on top of his scoring total.
So... what gives? Why is he absent from NBA Draft conversations, and what does he still have yet to prove to infiltrate this year's NBA Draft class?
If you ask me, it's all about putting his talents on full display on the biggest stages. That means when up against Arizona, Iowa State, Houston, Texas Tech, and especially during March, Rob Wright needs to show just why he was a 5-star recruit and transfer.
Perhaps Rob is more of a four-year type of prospect in the eyes of NBA evaluators, more akin to a Walter Clayton Jr. type. I certainly wouldn't complain to learn Wright was returning for his junior season, but he deserves a look from the pro ranks. Anyone who's watched him lace up and play knows what he's capable of.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and college sports since 2024.