If you’re anything like me you spent most of BYU’s first round loss to Duquesne screaming at your TV, pacing, and contemplating your fandom. There is no way to sugarcoat the outcome. It was a very disappointing end to an otherwise exciting season. Despite the discouraging outcome to the season, this team should be commended. They will be remembered for leading BYU into the Big 12 and sending a message that BYU is not just here to be a part of the conference but they are here to win. I feel there is reason to be very optimistic about the future of BYU hoops. Let's dig a bit deeper as to why.
Departures
The players we know that are for sure leaving the team are Spencer Johnson and Tredyn Christensen. Jaxon Robinson, the leading scorer for the team, was honored as a senior on Senior Night a few weeks ago but has hinted that he may return next season. This would be a massive addition to the team as Robinson won the Big 12’s 6th Man of the Year award and would bring experience and an ability to create his own shot that was missing in a few games this season.
In the postgame press conference, #BYU guard Jaxson Robinson said, “This loss sucks. I want to get back here. I’m already thinking about it (returning).”
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 21, 2024
Mark Pope then stopped him and said, “We can make that happen right now.”
Robinson will have an NBA draft decision this…
Marcus Adams Jr., a 4-star recruit who transferred to BYU after leaving Kansas then Gonzaga, has announced he is entering the transfer portal and will be leaving the team. Marcus’s father passed away recently and it is speculated that he will be transferring somewhere closer to home to help support his family. (Marcus retweeted the tweet below, seemingly supporting the claims made). We wish Marcus the very best in his basketball career.
Robby McCombs, “Marcus’ dad recently passed away and his mom can’t speak English well or drive, so Marcus will likely look to be closer to home in Southern California to support his family.”https://t.co/bU4bPOXw5Q pic.twitter.com/AArX5tgTJE
— The BYU Flash (@TheBYUFlash) March 26, 2024
With the new transfer portal rules it is expected that a few other players from this year’s time will exit to find an opportunity to play somewhere else. It appears that the central core of players at BYU are committed to staying in Provo especially considering the success of the team this year and the spotlight that is on the Big 12 as the premier conference in college basketball. Of course NIL money and new opportunities can change things but for the sake of this conversation we’ll assume that all of the players who logged significant minutes this year who aren’t graduating, are returning.