End of Summer Notes: Class of '25
BYU Recruiting heads into the Official Visit Season
The club season has ended and hoopers are getting opportunities in China and shopping malls to stay sharp as school starts. The ‘25 recruiting class is taking shape for BYU. This coaching staff arrived late to the party for this class. Hired in April, the staff missed out on years of evaluating and relationship building, but has made significant progress in their first four months. Let’s look at the opportunities for BYU as many of these players will take visits and make decisions before the school season starts in November.
AJ Dybantsa (6’9”, Brockton, MA, Utah Prep) - Haven’t heard of him? Google it. Last week he made an appearance at the SLAM Summer Classic all star game at Rucker Park. The number one player in the country would change the trajectory of BYU basketball. Two different national podcasts have called BYU the current favorite in an open race. Dybantsa’s sixth and final official visit will be to Provo on October 11-13.
JJ Mandaquit (6’1”, Honolulu, HI, Utah Prep) - In addition to teaming up this season for Utah Prep, Mandaquit played alongside Dybantsa on the U17 USA Men’s World Cup team this summer. Mandaquit is a big time playmaker and shotmaker and ranked as the 46th best player in the nation by ESPN. Last week he announced his top 9 schools. BYU made the cut, Mandaquit will make his official visit the same weekend as Dybansta.
Xavion Staton (6’10”, Las Vegas, NV, Sierra Vista) - BYU offered Staton in mid-July and found it’s way on to his list when he released his top 6 two weeks later. The long, shot-blocking, big man fits well into the mold of many defensive minded players the Cougars picked up in the transfer portal this season. ESPN has Staton ranked 59th, he will take a visit to Provo November 2nd.
Ryder Frost (6’6”, South Hamilton, MA, Phillips Exeter Academy) - Frost shot 45% on threes for the top team in the Under Armour Circuit during the summer. He’s known for having a strong frame and being a deft passer. BYU made Frost’s top 8 list, but Frost has scheduled official visits to five of those schools and has not scheduled one to Provo.
Jalin Holland (6’4”, Los Lunas, NM, Dream City Christian) - Holland was the number two scorer on the Utah Prospects Adidas national championship team. He has not released a list and took an official visit to New Mexico last week.
Chamberlain Burgess (6’9”, Highland, UT, Orem) - Burgess was apart of the Adidas nation champion with Holland. He also represented Utah in the 3 on 3 tournament at the Mall of America. Burgess’s uncle Chris is an Assistant on the Cougar staff. Burgess hasn’t released information on his visits, but holds offers from Hawaii, Denver, UVU and Weber St. in addition to BYU.
Michael Simcoe (6’8, Glendale, AZ, Sandra Day O’Conner) - On youtube you can find him under “most slept on hooper on the west coast.” He’s a three level scorer who brings a Richie Saunders-like passion for the game. He’s released a top 7 that includes BYU.
Brayden Burries (6’4”, Riverside, CA, Roosevelt) - Burries is considered the top player in California and number 11 in the country by ESPN. He has released almost no information on his recruitment. He was one of Coach Young’s first offers. Burries holds more than 30 offers.