BYU Basketball Update: Kanon Catchings Shines Against Arizona
BYU forward Kanon Catchings (6) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center
BYU forward Kanon Catchings (6) celebrates after draining a three-pointer during the second half against Arizona at McKale Center.
“With his size and high release, I always tell him it’s either going in or not,” Kevin Young said with a smile after BYU’s impressive victory over 19th-ranked Arizona. “The defense can’t affect it. When he’s assertive and looking for his shot, he makes a huge impact for us.”
Kanon Catchings has faced the toughest challenges of his BYU basketball season in recent weeks. Under first-year head coach Kevin Young, the Cougars tightened their rotation as conference play began.
Catchings, in particular, felt the impact, as his playing time plummeted from over 20 minutes per game to a limited role with fewer minutes.
This shift was a significant change for the freshman, and the rule was clear: perform, and you’ll get more minutes; fall short, and your time on the court might be limited. This was the reality in BYU’s blowout wins over Kansas State and Kansas, where Catchings saw only eight and two minutes of action, respectively.
Naturally, he looked discouraged following the 34-point victory.
However, when his team needed him most in the tense atmosphere of McKale Center, Catchings reminded everyone why he was once considered a potential first-round pick.
With his high release and sharp shooting, the 6-foot-9 forward was on fire, draining 4 contested three-pointers in just 15 minutes and keeping the Cougars within striking distance of the Wildcats.
As Coach Young pointed out, Kanon’s release is comparable to a former player he coached, Kevin Durant. With his long wingspan and smooth shooting stroke, Catchings has the potential to be a dominant scorer, especially when defenders can’t effectively contest his well-guarded jumper.
Since his time on the bench, Catchings has steadily improved, especially in free throw shooting and 3-point accuracy, showing significant growth over the past month.
While he’s not without flaws, the versatile wing is proving he has NBA potential if he continues to develop. What team wouldn’t want a player with his size, shooting ability, and ball-handling skills?
A strong performance in March could boost Catchings’ draft prospects once again.
