The calendar has flipped to May and BYU is still in pursuit of its starting center for next season. BYU has 12 players slotted in for next season’s roster, but the Cougs still have a gaping hole at center. Khadim Mboup and TCU transfer Adam Stewart are the only two players on the roster that can realistically play the five, and neither will be BYU’s starting center.
Keeping Rob Wright and adding Collin Chandler, Bruce Branch, Tyler Betsey, and retaining other players wasn’t cheap. BYU has the money to add one more big piece, and that will be allocated towards a center. Big men are in the highest demand and shortest supply in the portal and internationally. If you want a semblance of a starting high major big man, you better come prepared with at least $3M and in many cases much more. A lot of schools still need big men, and BYU is competing in that pool.
Advertisement
Below are some big men I’m monitoring based on conversations I’ve been having with industry sources. These are just a few players BYU is or has been looking at. The big man market changes seemingly every hour with the amount of money going around, so if BYU is an underdog or favorite now that could flip by tomorrow.
Michael Ruzic
The 19-year old Croatian center is currently playing professionally in Spain and is teammates with Ricky Rubio and Jabari Parker. Ruzic participated in the NBA Draft combine last year, where he measured 6-foot-11 barefoot and a wingspan of nearly 7-foot-1. Even if he hasn’t grown in the past year, he’d be listed 7-feet on a roster.
Advertisement
Ruzic was overwhelmed by the physicality at times in the Combine scrimmages and ultimately withdrew from the Draft. This year, he has elected not to declare for the 2026 Draft. Colleges have been in pursuit of Ruzic, and he’ll have to decide if he wants to stay in Europe or go to the college route.
Sources have told me BYU has been involved with Ruzic, and I consider him one of BYU’s top targets. Two industry sources told me that BYU’s staff had a Zoom meeting with Ruzic, and all indications are that it went well.
Ruzic is a skilled 7-footer who has nice touch around the rim, can move well, and has the ability to hit outside shots. His club’s starting center got hurt in April, and Ruzic has burst onto the scene in the past month, playing well against some of the best international players in the world. The below clip from a recent game shows his skillset, where he’s catching passes from Ricky Rubio and Jabari Parker.
I think Ruzic would have some struggles handing Big 12 physicality and in some ways think he would be better at the four because of that, but he is skilled and offers a lot of upside at his size. He is one of the players I am watching most closely.
Luigi Suigo
I first detailed Suigo back on April 17 as a BYU target. Suigo has declared for the NBA Draft and will participate in the NBA Combine next week. Suigo is projected by most as a second round pick and is debating staying in the draft or going the college route.
Advertisement
BYU has a relationship with the 7-foot-3 Italian Center that spans over a year. BYU is one of the main schools involved, but if he elects the college route I’m told Villanova is the current favorite to land him.
Marcio Santos
The 23-year old Brazilian plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv as a Center in the EuroLeague, the top league in the world outside of the NBA. Santos is an undersized center at 6-foot-8 or 6-foot-9 (depending on where you look), but he is very skilled. He has an array of post moves and can play pick and pop with his ability to hit outside shots. He competes hard defensively and is strong, but at his size he is not a rim protector.
Advertisement
Sources have told me that Kentucky, BYU, and LSU are the three finalists and a commitment could come any day. Mark Pope flew to Israel this last week to watch him in person, but right now I give LSU the edge. They need 10+ players still and can offer him the most money since they have the most budget remaining. However, I’ve been told all three schools are still involved.
I would have questions and concerns about BYU defensively if they landed Santos, but he would offer a lot offensively and would compete day one at his age without any acclimation period to Big 12 physicality.
You can watch highlights below. His offensive skill and talent is evident.
Mouhamed “Momo” Faye
Faye is someone I mentioned a month ago after BYU assistant John Linehan went to France. He is a native of Senegal and is playing professionally in France. Listed at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Faye is 21 years old and has been projected as a potential second round pick the last couple years. BYU is one of the teams showing interest, and NBA could be a possibility for him as well. One source told me his transcripts could be a blocker for him playing college basketball, but BYU is is of the schools involved with him along with North Carolina, St John’s, and others. If the transcript issues get cleared then he would be a great piece in college as a lob threat and rim protector. If I had to say it seems like North Carolina and St John’s are ahead right now.
Advertisement
Egor Ryzhov
The 7-foot Russian nearly went the college route last season. He signed with Florida State last June, but ultimately went back to Russia after admissions, transcript, and visa issues were taking too long and he didn’t want to risk ineligibility. Now 21 years old, Egor is back on the radar of college programs. Sources have told me BYU is involved with Egor. He is a high major caliber big who is more of a true center than someone like Ruzic. He doesn’t have a huge perimeter game (although he can hit outside shots), but he can handle physicality, score around the rim, rebound, and is a plus athlete. If Egor gets the visa and admissions issues sorted through, he is absolutely a high major big. It doesn’t hurt BYU that they have a Russian connection with Egor Demin.
Obinna Ekezie
BYU hosted Ekezie last weekend for an official visit. On Monday, he released his final five schools of BYU, Arkansas, Louisville, Kentucky, and Maryland. I wrote about Ekezie more earlier. This one has been all over the place the last week. Early in the week I heard Arkansas was the favorite, then it shifted to Louisville, now it seems like Maryland could be the school. I’m not sure who the favorite is. BYU has been involved, but I don’t think they will be the school for Obinna.
Advertisement
Aly Tounkara
The Arkansas State transfer is someone BYU has been looking at as a backup big, sources tell me. The 7-foot sophomore averaged 4.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1 block in 18 minutes per game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes for more money to start somewhere, but if the price is right BYU could get more in the mix.
Halvine Dzellat
Dzellat is another guy I’m watching as a potential backup option. A Cincinnati transfer, Dzellat was a backup five man for the Bearcats this past season. In 8.3 minutes per game he averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds. Listed at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, Dzellat is a bruising big man who would give some beef in the frontcourt.
Advertisement
Maxim Logue
After two seasons at Oregon State and Florida Atlantic, Logue committed to North Carolina this offseason before de-committing last week. The reason I’m listing Logue here is because he visited BYU two years ago shortly after Kevin Young joined. Logue played in 28 games for FAU this past season, averaging 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. Listed at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Logue is a tenacious offensive rebounder who gives athleticism in the frontcourt. I’m not sure if BYU will get involved, but I’m listing him as a potential backup five option due to the prior connections.
