Kanon Catchings, a projected first-round pick in 2025, told ESPN that he has committed to BYU.
“My family and I met with Coach Young and the coaching staff last week and we immediately clicked,” Catchings told ESPN. “I knew right away that this was the best thing for me.”
Catchings, who committed to Purdue after his sophomore year of high school, decided to reopen his recruitment earlier this month. He visited Florida State and North Carolina State, as well as BYU, before choosing the Cougars.
He is the nephew of Naismith Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, who was named WNBA MVP and a 10-time All-Star in a decorated career with the Indiana Fever that also included four Olympic gold medals.
Kanon's mother, Tauja, played college basketball at Illinois and was selected in the WNBA draft, while her grandfather, Harvey Catchings, spent 11 seasons in the NBA.
Catchings is the second projected first-round pick that incoming head coach Kevin Young has landed, along with Russian winger and Real Madrid player Egor Demin. Young left an associate head coaching position with the Phoenix Suns to replace Mark Pope, who departed for Kentucky after John Calipari left for Arkansas.
Catchings, a 6-foot-10 forward, played his senior year of high school at Overtime Elite in Atlanta, averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. He shot 37% from 3-point range for the Cold Hearts and was coached by current BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning, who also played a major role in recruiting Demin in his first month on the job in Provo, Utah.
BYU returned three starters from a team that reached the NCAA tournament in its debut season in the Big 12: Trevin Knell, Dallin Hall and Fousseyni Traore. Key reserves Richie Saunders and Dawson Baker, a former All-Big West player who missed nearly all of last season with a foot injury, are also back.
The Cougars also landed two Power 5 starters from the transfer portal in Utah's Keba Keita and Rutgers' Mawot Mag.
“Coach Young emphasizes building relationships and I have complete confidence in him,” Catchings said. “I'm excited to learn from him and improve as a player. We have a great group of guys on the roster and we all share the same goal. I can't wait to get started.”
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by the NBA, NCAA and international teams.
