BYU Basketball Recruiting Notebook: How Will BYU Address the Frontcourt?

Freshmen Additions

• Bruce Branch
• Dean Rueckert
• Brooks Bahr (Returned Missionary)

Incoming Transfers

• Collin Chandler
• Tyler Betsey
• Jake Wahlin

What Does BYU do to Fill the Big Man Void?

Undoubtedly the biggest hole on BYU’s roster is at center. Khadim Mboup can play the five, but BYU isn’t planning on him to be their starting big man. One thing I do know — BYU will try to get a NBA caliber big man and pay 7 figures to get their next starting center. Keba Keita was good, but BYU wants more size in the frontcourt.

Based on conversations with agents, international scouts, and other sources, I anticipate BYU to spend fairly big to land a quality starting center. BYU is active in the transfer portal and the international market, and right now I think the most likely option for BYU’s next starting center is in the overseas market.

One of the names I am watching most is Luigi Suigo. Listed at 7-foot-3, Suigo is skilled Italian big man who is currently playing professionally in Serbia. Suigo is 19 years old who ESPN currently has at #41 on their 2026 NBA Draft big board.

BYU has a long-standing relationship with Suigo and has recruited him for well over a year. Back in February 2025, his agent at the time told me he nearly took a visit to BYU. Suigo was in the US for a camp over NBA All-Star weekend, and his club team would only let him take one college visit. Since BYU was on the road, he took an official visit to Illinois and never made it to Provo that week. Illinois was seen as the favorite if he were to enter college, but they’ve retained some of their top big men from this past season and aren’t seen as a destination anymore for Suigo.

International sources have told me that Suigo is deciding between going the college route and declaring for the NBA Draft. He would likely be a second round pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Next year’s draft is much weaker, so the argument is that he can go to college and work his way into a first round pick in 2027. Sources have told me that if he goes the college route, BYU is one of the favorites to land him.

Suigo would be a huge recruiting win for BYU. He’s a stretch 5 who can score from three, and dangerous as a screener playing either pick and pop or rolling to the basket. With his size, he is an effective rebounder, shot blocker, and can move decently well laterally. I think some Big 12 bigs would give him problems with their physicality, but Suigo is a great talent who would be one of the best big man NBA prospects in college basketball next year. One scout told me he has some similarities to Michigan 7-foot-3 big man Adam Mara.

One of the big questions BYU and other schools have to weight is how long they wait for him to make his NBA decision. Kevin Young will make him the pitch that BYU’s system will accentuate his strengths and allow him to showcase his skill around the basket and on the perimeter, which would turn him into a first round pick.

The deadline for all players to withdraw from the NBA Draft is June 13, so theoretically his decision could linger on for awhile. BYU and other schools need to have other contingencies while they recruit Suigo.

BYU is recruiting several international big men, and one of them could be the guy over Suigo. But right now, Suigo is one I’m watching closely and who would be a huge boost for this BYU team. He and Bruce Branch could both be first round picks in the 2027 draft, and be potentially be BYU’s third and fourth best players behind Rob Wright and Collin Chandler.

Outside of a starter, I also expect BYU to sign a backup five man who would be much less expensive.

Other Recruiting News and Thoughts

• One guy I’ve been watching is Colorado stretch 4 man Sebastian Rancik. Listed at 6-foot-11, Rancik can play the five but his primarily a stretch four who gives great positional size. Rancik averaged 12.3 points at Colorado this past season and played great defense on AJ Dybantsa in their matchup in Provo. He’s already visited Kentucky and Florida State, and I have those two schools as the favorite. BYU has been working to get him on a visit, but as of Friday morning sources tell me nothing has been scheduled yet. Even if he were to get on a visit, I don’t think BYU would pay nearly as much money as other schools. BYU’s biggest remaining priority is a quality starting big man, and I think that’s where the big money will go.
• If BYU doesn’t get Rancik, then I am curious where BYU goes at the four spot. If BYU gets someone like Suigo at the five, I’d be comfortable with Mboup/Wahlin as the primary fours. Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey could play also there, although he’s probably more of a wing. Wahlin has 52 starts at the Big 12 and ACC level. He’s not an All-Big 12 caliber player, but he’s a senior who can stretch the floor and rebound at 6-foot-10. Mboup is the more tantalizing prospect. Mboup gives you a high motor and someone who can guard every position on the floor. If BYU added Suigo, then Mboup’s lack of shooting isn’t as big of a deal and could be someone who crashes the glass and give hustle plays. I think it’s also reasonable to expect a jump from Mboup. BYU was his only offer coming into college, and as a redshirt freshman he became a rotation player in the Big 12 for a NCAA Tournament team. His development has been rapid, and I expect another jump from his as a sophomore. If he can get a semblance of a shot then he can be a big time player.
• I would also like BYU to add another guard. Nate Pickens is expected back, and he will be a solid piece in the backcourt. He is a good defender and averaged 10 points on 39% three-point shooting his last season at UC Riverside. He is a combo guard that can play either guard spot. If Dawson Baker comes back, anything you get from him is gravy. He’s shown he can be a great shooter and scoring spark plug off the bench, but he is coming off a major knee injury and two foot surgeries before that. Brooks Bahr is a big-bodied point guard, but its hard to expect too much from a RM year one. All those players provide depth, but I’d like BYU to add another guard that can give some scoring pop off the bench behind Rob Wright and Collin Chandler.