BYU Basketball: Two Freshmen Enter the Transfer Portal
Kanon Catchings and Elijah Crawford are exploring their options this offseason.
Following the disappointing end of BYU basketball’s 2024-25 season, the first under head coach Kevin Young, it was expected that some players might consider the transfer portal as they look toward their future in college basketball.
However, this news remains tough to accept.
The opening of the transfer portal waits for no one — not even the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament. As BYU’s season ended, the portal doors opened, allowing players to move freely at their discretion.
Kanon Catchings, a 4-star recruit from Purdue, was the first to step away.
Many observers had anticipated this move, as Catchings’ freshman year at BYU fell short of expectations as the season progressed. Coach Young became more cautious with the promising freshman, whose defensive struggles and other issues led to him being relegated to a smaller role in the postseason. Although another year in the BYU system could have been beneficial for Catchings, it was clear he was growing frustrated with his position.
The season began smoothly with strong performances against non-conference teams, with Kanon posting 20+ point games and impressive shooting numbers that hinted at a potential future in the NBA.
But when the Big 12 competition arrived, Catchings struggled with the increased physicality and soon found his playing time shrinking.
A few injuries compounded the situation, and Kanon’s role became less significant as the season neared its end.
Given his top-50 ranking in his recruiting class, Kanon is expected to be a highly sought-after transfer. He has already been linked to prestigious programs like North Carolina in the ACC. His standout games against Baylor and Arizona as a freshman will be remembered fondly by BYU fans.
The next move into the transfer portal was also expected, though slightly more disappointing. Elijah Crawford, a transfer from Stanford who didn’t see much playing time in a crowded Cougar backcourt, entered the portal on the 31st.
Despite his limited playing time in his freshman year, there was optimism surrounding Crawford’s potential for future seasons at BYU.
Unfortunately, that potential will now remain a possibility, unless he returns to Provo. Crawford is not waiting passively but is instead exploring his options in the portal.
A key aspect of the transfer portal that is often overlooked is the potential for players to return. Both Saunders and Hall opted to stay with the Cougars last season, despite entering the portal at one point when the coaching situation was uncertain.
No matter the outcome of their portal decisions, BYU fans will forever appreciate their contributions during the first season of a new era for Cougar basketball.
