Players Entering the Transfer Portal with Ties to BYU

The transfer portal is just around the corner. It opens on April 7 and closes on April 21, giving players a two-week window to enter. After April 21, players can no longer enter the portal unless their school has a head coaching change.

Of course, players don’t have to commit to a new program before the portal closes. However, the shortened window should create a greater sense of urgency for players exploring different options compared to previous years.

Even though this year’s portal window is just two weeks long, that hasn’t stopped players from already announcing their intentions to enter once it opens. In fact, more than 800 players have already shared their plans.

With NIL changing the recruiting landscape completely, it has become more difficult than ever for schools to land top targets. However, existing relationships can still make a major difference.

For example, in Kevin Young’s first season at BYU, several players joined the Cougars because of pre-existing connections to the program.

Egor Demin made his way to Provo thanks to his relationship with former BYU great Travis Hansen
Assistant coach Brandon Dunson helped bring Mawot Mag to the United States from Australia in 2016, a relationship that later helped bring Mag to BYU
Kanon Catchings played for BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning at Overtime Elite
Assistant coach Will Voigt coached Khadim Mboup at Zamalek in Egypt as part of the Basketball Africa League
Keba Keita played for BYU assistant Chris Burgess for two seasons at Utah before joining the Cougars and was also teammates with Foussenyi Traore at Wasatch Academy

Heading into Young’s second year, AJ Dybantsa played a major role in helping recruit his close friend Rob Wright to BYU. The list goes on.

Connections like these don’t guarantee that a school will land a transfer portal target, but they certainly improve a program’s chances.

Let’s take a look at players who have already publicly confirmed their plans to enter the portal and have existing ties to BYU.

Somto Cyril

Team: Georgia
Conference: SEC
Position: C
Height: 6'11"
PPG: 9.3 | RPG: 5.4 | BPG: 2.2
Connection to BYU: Tim Fanning

Somto Cyril is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal. With Keba Keita graduating, BYU will look to add a top center to replace him—and Cyril certainly fits that profile.

The Enugu, Nigeria native developed his game in the Overtime Elite (OTE) program, where he played under Tim Fanning.

While at OTE, Cyril won Defensive Player of the Year honors. After initially committing to play for John Calipari at Kentucky, he reopened his recruitment when Calipari left for Arkansas and ultimately flipped his commitment to Georgia, where he has spent the past two seasons.

Cyril is one of the best rim protectors in the country. He finished the season ranked 13th in blocks per game and 16th in total blocks. At 6'11" and 260 pounds, he plays with physicality in the paint and uses his strength to score around the rim.

He also thrives as a rim runner, making him a dangerous lob threat. That player profile is one that Kevin Young has frequently targeted at the center position.

You can watch his highlights below.

Keanu Dawes

Team: Utah
Conference: Big 12
Position: PF/C
Height: 6'9"
PPG: 12.5 | RPG: 8.8 | APG: 2.2
Connection to BYU: LDS

Keanu Dawes is an intriguing player who intends to enter the transfer portal. The Houston native received a scholarship offer from BYU under Mark Pope while he was in high school and took an official visit to campus in September 2022.

@BYUMBB official visit! pic.twitter.com/JlQENOUsNl
— Keanu Dawes (@keanu_28) September 24, 2022

Dawes ultimately committed to Rice, where he played his freshman season. He then entered the portal and transferred to Utah, where he has spent the past two years.

With a significantly increased role this season, Dawes made major strides in both scoring and rebounding for the Utes. He also developed into a strong defensive presence.

Although he logged minutes at center due to injuries, his most natural position is forward.

Now back in the transfer portal, Dawes is expected to attract significant interest from programs across the country.

Dawes is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was his original connection to BYU. Could he make his way to Provo this time around? The Cougars would certainly benefit from his rebounding, defensive versatility, and Big 12 experience.

You can watch his highlights below.

Mikey Lewis

Team: Saint Mary’s
Conference: WCC
Position: PG/SG
Height: 6'3"
PPG: 13.9 | APG: 2.1 | 3PT: 37%
Connection to BYU: AJ Dybantsa

In high school, Mikey Lewis attended Prolific Prep, where he was teammates with AJ Dybantsa. Now in college, he has spent the past two seasons in the WCC with Saint Mary’s and has put together a solid start to his collegiate career.

The shifty combo guard is known for his ability to create tough shots and score in bunches. He dropped 19 points against Vanderbilt and exploded for 31 against Gonzaga this season.

Lewis averaged 8.2 points per game off the bench as a freshman before increasing his production to 13.9 points per game as a starter during his sophomore season. He is a career 37% three-point shooter on 340 attempts.

He is also excellent from the free-throw line, shooting 88% on more than 90 attempts this season.

You can watch his highlights below.

Jackson Rasmussen

Team: Idaho
Conference: Big Sky
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'7"
PPG: 13.6 | RPG: 4.7 | APG: 1.3
Connection to BYU: AJ Dybantsa, Xavion Staton

Jackson Rasmussen just wrapped up a strong season at Idaho. He was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year and helped lead the Vandals to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990.

Rasmussen finished third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding. He scored 12 points against Washington State and 16 against Notre Dame earlier this season.

The forward has solid footwork, a strong ability to drive to the basket, and plays with fundamentally sound technique.

Rasmussen attended Utah Prep in high school, where he was teammates with both AJ Dybantsa and Xavion Staton.

You can watch his highlights below.

6’7 Freshman F Jackson Rasmussen (@Jacksonrass1) had a strong year for @VandalHoops picking up Big Sky Freshman of the year Honours

• 13.7 PPG
• 4.7 RPG
• 49 FG%

Rasmussen has a crafty, patient, and fundamental game. His ability to drive, score in the post, and finish with… pic.twitter.com/Dd6hmMQ4os
— Workin It Hoops (@workinithoops) March 17, 2026

Isaiah Johnson

Team: Colorado
Conference: Big 12
Position: PG
Height: 6'1"
PPG: 16.9 | APG: 3.0 | 3PT: 38%
Connection to BYU: Xavion Staton

Isaiah Johnson emerged as one of the top guards in the country this season. The freshman averaged 17.9 points per game in conference play and ranked eighth in scoring in the Big 12, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

Despite being a freshman, Johnson consistently rose to the occasion against top competition. He scored 28 points against Arizona, 27 against BYU, 24 against Iowa State, 21 against Texas Tech, and 19 against both Houston and Kansas.

Johnson shot the ball well from the perimeter, hitting 38% on the season. He also made 82% of his free throws on 195 attempts.

He is explosive in transition, has a strong feel for the game, and consistently makes the right reads. He also operates effectively in the pick-and-roll.

In high school, Johnson played on the AAU circuit with BTI United, where he was teammates with Xavion Staton.

You can watch his highlights below.

Curtis Givens

Team: LSU
Conference: SEC
Position: PG/SG
Height: 6'3"
PPG: 9.4 | APG: 2.3 | 3PT: 37%
Connection to BYU: Rob Wright

In high school, Curtis Givens was part of Montverde Academy’s loaded roster—the same team that featured four future 2025 first-round picks, including Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, Asa Newell, and Liam McNeeley. Rob Wright was the fifth starter of that team, with Givens coming off the bench as the sixth man.

Givens began his college career at LSU before transferring to Memphis, where his game took a significant leap forward.

He is excellent at getting downhill and can score at all three levels. Givens is also a capable defender.

If he were to land in Provo, he would add much-needed shooting from deep. He is comfortable hitting threes both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. His ability to play both on-ball as a facilitator and off-ball as a shooter also gives him valuable positional versatility in the backcourt.

You can watch his highlights below.

Memphis guard Curtis Givens III (@lilcurtis_3) will be entering the transfer portal, per sources.

9.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 43.1% FG, 36.5% 3FG. pic.twitter.com/7QPEwJp5ec
— Rising Ballers Network (@dylan_lutey) April 1, 2026