NCAA Basketball: Kanon Catchings commits to BYU, becoming the program's highest recruit in over a decade

Top-40 prospect and former Purdue signee Kanon Catchings has announced he is committed to BYU, which lands them their highest recruit in over a decade, according to On3. Catchings, a 6-foot-9 small forward, will give BYU a very unique and highly skilled forward to build the future of the program around. 

Catchings leads a very protrusive and talented freshman class joining the Cougars in 2024. BYU landed four-star PG, Elijah Crawford; four-star SF, Brody Kozlowski; and a three-star SG, Brooks Bahr. 

Kanon is the nephew of former legendary WNBA player Tamika Catchings. He is building into having an NBA frame and style of play that will transfer to the collegiate and potentially the professional level. Catchings originally signed his letter of intent to attend the Purdue Boilermakers but decided to step back and reevaluate the best options and situations for him, and that's when he landed at BYU. 

He spent last season playing with Overtime Elite, which is the route we have seen many high schoolers take. Catchings has the ability to be a three-way scorer, with a smooth jumper from inside and outside the arc. He is still filling out his frame but could be a lengthy wing with the outlet of playing the four in certain instances. Right now, his game resembles more of a small forward. 

Last season with Overtime Elite, Catchings averaged 14.4 points, 1.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 54.5% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point line. He averaged roughly 23 minutes per game. BYU is getting a very highly sought-after prospect who will and can contribute a great deal right out of the gate for the cougars. 

With Catchings on board, this should be the last offseason signing for BYU Basketball, a solid first couple of months in the Coach Kevin Young era.