BYU Basketball's top recruiting targets
Berke Buyuktuncel - Forward
Buyuktuncel is a Turkish power forward who stands at 6'9" out of UCLA. His lone season in Westwood didn't quite meet expectations for the former 4-star recruit. He battled through injury and only started 8 games in the 2023-24 season, but his potential is as high as ever as he explores his options in the transfer portal.
Upon Noah Waterman's unexpected departure from the program, BYU is in need of a 4 who can spread the floor. Buyuktuncel would be an upgrade should he fill in for Waterman. He's capable of putting the ball on the floor and is a talented scorer, despite putting up only 4.5 points per game in his freshman season.
Kevin Young's staff has been making a strong push to land Buyuktuncel, who visited Provo earlier this month. Nebraska joins BYU as one of the frontrunners to acquire his services, and the race seems neck-and-neck for now. Buyuktuncel is currently projected to be an early second-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
This a a great 2-minute breakdown on BYU target Berke Buyuktuncel. I’ve heard his comp as Toni Kukoc. There’s a reason he’s a NBA prospect — very versatile 6-foot-9 forward that plays smart and can score in a variety of ways. Big sophomore season coming.
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) May 12, 2024
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