Each day, BYU’s 2025-2026 roster becomes a little clearer. The Cougars will be losing some key pieces to the draft, transfer portal, and graduation, but the staff has already made tremendous progress in replacing and improving the roster. Kevin Young has made national headlines with his ability to sign top high school recruits, like A.J. Dybantsa, but now he must turn to the transfer portal in what has become an increasingly hectic process each year in college basketball.
While BYU has already lost Dallin Hall, Kanon Catchings, and Elijah Crawford to the portal, they’ve already made quick progress in replacing them.
The signing of Washington transfer Dominique Diomande gives the Cougars another huge upside prospect to pair with Dybantsa. Coming over from France midseason, Diomande redshirted this past season for the Huskies. While still developing as a player, he has the potential for NBA athleticism, finishing, and defense, and will be a player for scouts to watch all season. Diomande averaged over 16 points per game in the France-ProA U21 league before joining Washington last season.
In the backcourt, Egor Demin’s departure leaves a skill set that will be nearly impossible to replicate, but it appears the Cougars may have an answer in former Baylor guard Rob Wright III, who seems to be a done deal to come to Provo next year. The freshman provided a steady presence to a Bears team that was ravaged by injuries, averaging 11.5 points and 4.2 assists per game, and those numbers are only going to get better in year 2.
Playing a lot of minutes with Wright in the backcourt will be Dawson Baker, who had plenty of big moments in his second season at BYU. Buried a bit in the depth chart behind Demin and Hall, Baker is primed to step up in 2026. He could be the Cougars’ fifth starter, or more likely bring energy off the bench. Either way, Baker might not be elite, but if he can be consistent, he’ll be a big contributor for the Cougars. In addition to Baker and Wright, expect the BYU staff to add another experienced guard or two in the portal.
Whatever the backcourt ends up being, BYU’s final three starters are pretty easy to spot. The return of Richie Saunders instantly makes the Cougars a conference and national contender. An All-Big 12 First Team member, Saunders was at the receiving end of a lot of praise this past March, and he still is probably underrated.
But even bigger than him, is the arrival of top prospect A.J. Dybantsa, the current favorite to be the number one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With elite athleticism, and the ability to score at all three levels—especially the midrange—Dybantsa will bring a lot of eyes to Provo next season.
At the center position, Keba Keita started 35 games for BYU last season, so there’s no reason to think he can’t do it again. A constant lob threat on offense, Keita also provides some much needed rim protection on defense.
Unfortunately, BYU will have to replace Keita’s frontcourt duo in Fousseyni Traore, but 4 star recruit Xavion Staton should be able to do just that. While he plays more similar to Keita’s style than Traore’s, he’ll still be a much needed piece of the BYU big rotation. The return of Mihailo Boskovic (who will be a senior because of European experience) should solidly round out the Cougars down low. While his playing time wasn’t overly consistent last season, he certainly found more of a rhythm near the end of the year and should be much improved with a full offseason under his belt for the first time.
Outside of these pieces, Kevin Young will still be very active in the transfer portal, looking to add some veteran experience that they’ll need to take the next step. His top priority might be whoever best resembles the game of Mawot Mag. A player who can start or come off the bench, defend no matter what, and hit some 3s here and there would be a huge addition. BYU is certainly capable of making an even deeper run in the tournament next year, but the defense will have to be improved in order to do so.
A lot can change between now and November and BYU is set to chase more transfers, international prospects, and even potential reclassifying high school players. But with all that said, here is what BYU might be able to roll out next season.
Projected Starters
Rob Wright III, guard
Richie Saunders, guard/forward
A.J. Dybantsa, forward
Additional Transfer, forward
Keba Keita, center
Depth Chart
Guards: Rob Wright III, Dawson Baker, Additional Transfers
Wings: Richie Saunders, A.J. Dybantsa, Dominique Diomande, Khadim Mboup, Additional Transfer
Bigs: Keba Keita, Xavion Staton, Mihailo Boskovic, Brody Kozlowski
Roster Recap
Returning Players:
Richie Saunders, Keba Keita, Dawson Baker, Mihailo Boskovic, Brody Kozlowski, Khadim Mboup
New Players:
A.J. Dybantsa, Xavion Staton, Dominique Diomande, Rob Wright III
Departing Players:
Fousseyni Traore, Trevin Knell, Trey Stewart, Mawot Mag, Egor Demin, Dallin Hall, Kanon Catchings, Elijah Crawford