Purdue Targets BYU’s Four-Star Freshman With Transfer Appeal
BYU power forward Kanon Catchings wrapped up his freshman year of college basketball with a crushing blowout defeat to Alabama in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. Purdue fans didn’t hesitate to pounce on the opportunity, quickly urging him to transfer.
They’re eager for him to join the Boilermakers.
Catchings, who was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, had bypassed his senior year of high school to play for Overtime Elite as a non-professional. At the time, he had committed to Purdue. The Indiana native opted to remain at home during his sophomore year of high school despite offers from Butler, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, and Cincinnati. He eventually signed with the program in November.
However, Catchings sought a release from his National Letter of Intent and reopened his recruitment in June. The 6-foot-9, 190-pound power forward soon enrolled at BYU to participate in summer practices, after considering Florida State and N.C. State.
While it was a significant acquisition for BYU, Catchings only averaged 17.5 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season. He contributed 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds, mostly coming off the bench.
The nephew of WNBA Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, Kanon scored two points and grabbed one rebound in just five minutes during a 113-88 loss to Alabama in March Madness. BYU fell behind early and never recovered. Catchings’ freshman season ended in the Sweet 16.
Interestingly, a Purdue fan was present at the game, despite the Boilermakers playing in Indianapolis and not Newark. The fan happened to be seated near the players’ tunnel and, as Catchings walked back to the locker room, he playfully urged him to consider transferring to Purdue, the school he had once committed to. Catchings responded with a smile.
What does this mean? Likely nothing. Catchings simply reacted to a playful remark.
Even though his freshman year didn’t go as planned, No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa is joining the program soon. The future of college basketball at BYU looks promising, and Catchings is determined to be a part of it.
