BYU Basketball Player Profile: Cory Calvert looks to prove himself following mission

BYU basketball fans may not remember very much of Cory Calvert's first season as a Cougar three years ago because he did not make a huge impression, averaging just 1.9 points per game on under 31 percent shooting and 18 percent from the 3-point line.

However, he did play more during BYU's run through the 2013 NIT to the semifinals when Anson Winder was injured. The increased playing time he received in close games is looking to pay off in the preseason this season, despite being away from the program for two years on an LDS mission. Calvert has looked comfortable pulling up and knocking down threes in transition during exhibition contests, showing a confidence in his outside shot that we did not see during his freshman season.

While Calvert still needs to work on finishing around the basket and improving his assist-to-turnover ratio, he should get plenty of chances to prove his mettle by playing extended minutes in some regular season games in November against fairly weak opponents.  He will have to separate himself from other guards, such as Jake Toolson and Jordan Chatman, in order to consistently see significant minutes that will likely come off the bench.

If he cannot be a steady presence on offense or a lock down defender, he might have difficulty finding the court in big games. It will really come down to how his play compares to Toolson and Chatman, who have both shown the ability to create off the dribble in the intrasquad scrimmage and the Boom Shakalaka event. With TJ Haws coming back off his mission next season, it will be crucial for Calvert to cement a spot in the rotation, as he might get passed by in the years to come with the incoming talent the Cougars have on the horizon.