When a 4 or 5-star prospect appears in the state of Utah, it doesn't take a private detective or ninja to discover that BYU basketball and Kevin Young's team will work tirelessly to get on the player's radar and make their pitch to join forces.
What used to be a pipe dream of BYU fans has now become a reality, because in three consectuve seasons, the Cougars have acquired the talents of a 5-star recruit, starting with Egor Demin, then AJ Dybantsa, and soon Bruce Branch III. You could even count Rob Wright III, a 5-star out of high school who transferred to Provo from Baylor last season to team up with Dybantsa.
So please forgive the abundance of optimism when a player like Isiah Harwell becomes available -- BYU fans are a bit spoiled these days.
Harwell, a Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant product out of the Beehive State, spent his freshman season with Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars. Playing just 13.8 minutes per game behind a loaded backcourt that consisted of Kingston Flemings, Milos Uzan, and Emmanuel Sharp, Harwell plans to enter the transfer portal to explore his options outside of Houston.
NEW: Houston guard Isiah Harwell plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, @JoeTipton reports.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) March 31, 2026
Harwell was a 5-star in the 2025 class. https://t.co/kBZbwtzjeh pic.twitter.com/fH59LJyo8l
It was a difficult season in Kelvin Sampson's system, as Harwell saw his role whittle down from 15-20 minutes per game to 3-4 in the late season. A 6'6" wing and Pocatello, Idaho native, Harwell read the writing on the walls and will look to build on an uneven foundation.
Harwell was the second-highest rated recruit out of Utah, sandwiched between BYU signees Dybantsa and Xavion Staton. Perhaps he'll give Provo a look to round out the trio.
Alongside Wright and Branch, BYU basketball will jump at any opportunity to strengthen their squad and approach the 2026-27 season with a more well-rounded and depth-focused team.