BYU Basketball 2022 Recruiting Big Board 1.0

BYU’s 2021-2022 roster is pretty much set (I expect BYU to add one more walk on), but coaches are firmly in 2022 and beyond recruiting. BYU’s staff has flown across the country scouting and watching prospects as they look to add to next year’s team. Mark Pope will always be active in the transfer portal, but adding high school recruits is still a top priority for him. BYU will likely look to add at least one point guard via the transfer portal or from the high school/JUCO ranks to replace Alex Barcello and Te’Jon Lucas. Outside of that, they will add the best talent that they can.

Below is what I believe are BYU’s top targets right now after talking with sources close to BYU’s recruiting, recruits, and people close to these recruits.

Main Targets

Collin Chandler — 6-foot-4, shooting guard, Farmington HS (Utah)

Offers: BYU, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, Stanford, Creighton, USC, Utah State

Collin has been one of the stars of the summer recruiting cycle as he impressed in camp after camp across the country. He was most recently named an All-Star at the NBPA Top 100 camp. Collin is high four-star recruit and top 75 player nationally. I would not be surprised to see him as a top 30 player and McDonald’s All-American when all things are done. BYU coaches have been recruiting Chandler since before COVID and have hosted him and his family on an unofficial visit. They didn’t officially offer him until June, however, and I think that dings BYU some. Chandler also grew up in a Utah family (the school), so I think those two things do not help BYU.

One source close to Collin told me that Gonzaga is likely to offer soon and that he will narrow down his list after that. I think BYU will make a top 5-6 list along with Utah, Gonzaga, Stanford, Arizona and maybe Oregon, but that it will be tough for BYU to come out on top. One thing that BYU has going for them is that Collin is planning to serve a mission right after high school. If he keeps those mission plans then that will only help BYU’s chances. Coaches will continue to make Chandler a priority and won’t back off until he signs his NLI.

Chandler said a couple weeks ago that he wants to make a decision “hopefully before the high school season.”

Jaxon Kohler — 6-foot-9, Power Forward, American Fork HS

Offers: BYU, Kansas, Iowa, Utah, Washington, Nebraska, Texas Tech, USC, Utah State, Santa Barbara, Grand Canyon

Kohler is a consensus top 75 player and the 39th-ranked 2022 recruit by ESPN. Jaxon probably has the best footwork for any big man in the class and already has a elite back-to-the-basket game. He’s more of a throwback big and can do a ton of damage around the basket. Kohler also has a consistent three-point jumper and has shown this summer cycle that he can step out and make that shot.

At this point, I think BYU has a slightly better chance to land Kohler over Chandler. Kohler has no plans to serve a mission, which is why schools such as Kansas and Iowa have recently offered. Jaxon announced that he will play his senior year at Southern California Academy. I don’t think this will necessarily hurt BYU’s chances, but it was nice when Kohler was right in BYU’s back yard at American Fork. Coach Pope and Chris Burgess both give BYU good credibility as bigs that have played professionally, which ultimately will help BYU stay squarely in the mix for Kohler. Even with guys such as Gavin Baxter and Richard Harward likely back next season, Jaxon has the skill set to start day one at BYU.

Other to Watch

Adem Bona — 6-foot-9, Forward/Center, Prolific Prep

Bona is a 5-star recruit and Top 10 player in the 2022 class. One source told me that BYU had a Zoom call with Bona and have been in touch with him for awhile now. Bona considered re-classifying to the class of 2021, which is when BYU was really on him. Bona is a native of Nigeria and spoke with Nigerian Gideon George, which is how BYU got in the door for Bona.

Now that he’s staying in 2022 I expect schools like Kentucky, Kansas and UCLA to come on hard and block out BYU. Bona has mentioned BYU specifically this summer as one of the schools recruiting him, but I ultimately expect him to end up at Kentucky.

Jestin Porter — 6-foot-1, Point Guard, Tyler Junior College

Offers: New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee State, Stony Brook, UIC

Porter is a JUCO player who coaches have reached out to fairly recently. BYU hasn’t offered yet, but they are in contact with Porter as a potential replacement for guards Alex Barcello and Te’Jon Lucas.

Erik Pratt — 6-foot-6, Shooting Guard, Seward County CC

Offers: NIU, FGCU, New Mexico, Weber State, UMBC, UIC, Kent State, Bryant, FIU, Cleveland State

Pratt is another JUCO guy BYU recently has been in touch with. BYU has not yet offered Pratt, likely to see what Kohler and Chandler decide. Pratt’s recruitment has really picked up the last couple weeks and is one coaches could decide to offer.

Saxby Sunderland — 6-foot-2, Point Guard, Flint HS (VA)

Offers: VCU, George Washington, UMBC, Elon, FIU, Others

BYU has been in Sunderland for months but has not offered him. He’s played well in the summer circuit has picked up more offers as he heads into his senior year. BYU hasn’t offered yet, and ultimately I think BYU won’t pursue too heavily.