We’ve crossed another threshold: Fourth of July has passed and BYU is still pursuing its starting big man.
If the NCAA rules in some players favor, we could be finally getting close to some resolution. Below are a few updates are what I’m hearing, what I think, and how they are connected.
Caleb Ourigou
I reported a couple weeks back that Ourigou took an official visit to BYU June 24 and 25. Caleb also took visits to Kentucky, Arkansas, and UConn. Arkansas was perceived as the favorite going in, and sources tell me this is down to BYU and Arkansas. Ourigou is a 2027 prospect but is leaning towards reclassifying to the 2026 class. UConn has no space for him this season, taking them out. BYU obviously has a gaping whole at center while Arkansas has one more roster spot and a thin frontcourt where Ourigou would compete for meaningful minutes.
Ourigou visited BYU before Arkansas, and sources tell me that BYU made a strong impression and potentially even passed Arkansas as a favorite. After his Arkansas visit and since then, I get the sense that the Razorbacks are back in the driver’s seat. Peach Jam is the premier AAU event and runs July 14-19; Caleb may wait until after that to commit to a school.
BYU’s pursuit of Ourigou potentially hangs on if BYU lands other big men target(s).
David Okwera
David is a 6-foot-10 Forward/Center who has spent the last five seasons in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL). He is currently playing for Australia’s national team in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, where he is playing with NBA players and high level international teammates.
Sources close to Okwera have told me that BYU has been on Okwera for a while now and have been making a strong push to add him to the roster. One source close to Okwera have told me that BYU is waiting on the NCAA’s ruling on whether he will be eligible to play. Okwera’s age and time in the pros are factors to consider.
Okwera turns 24 July 31, making him right on the border of age eligibility of the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model. The rule grants “five years of eligibility if they enroll in college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday.” Under that rule, a player’s fifth and final year would start at age 23. Okwera is 23 now but turns 24 soon, so I am not sure how the NCAA will rule in that. The NCAA fiscal years starts after July 1; since he birthday is after then, that could be his path to eligibility. But I’m not going to pretend like I know how the NCAA will rule since this is really a first-of-its-kind ruling.
On the court, Okwera is the type of big Kevin Young has been searching for. BYU has been looking for a skilled big who can shoot the ball, put the ball on the floor, and make good decisions in the PNR. One scout with whom I talked said that “Okwera has a guard-like game in a forward/center body. He can play in the Big 12/SEC.” As you can see in his highlights below, Okwera runs the floor well and can finish around the rim, but he also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot the three ball. Okwera was a bench player for the Perth Wildcats this past season, averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.6 minutes. He shot 59% from the floor and 10-28 (36%) from three in 36 games.
Okwera declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but ultimately withdrew. He was a raw prospect at the time, but his game has improved as he got older and he was named his team’s most improved player this season.
Okwera isn’t perfect — he’s listed at 200 pounds and can get bullied by more physical fives. What he does bring, however, is an intriguing skillset and someone that can play the four and five and give BYU different lineup possibilities as a skilled five or a four playing alongside any other big BYU brings on.
You can watch highlights below.
Xu Xin
I’ve reported extensively on Xu Xin. BYU has still been in contact with the 7-foot-5 big man and could potentially bring him on with Okwera and/or another big depending on the price tag. This isn’t sourced, but I see Okwera as BYU’s first option and Xin as a secondary option.
How it’s all connected
If Okwera is ruled ineligible, that could ramp up BYU’s pursuit of Ourigou and cause BYU to up its NIL offer. Ourigou isn’t the skilled big that Kevin Young has wanted, but he is a physical big who can play day one in the Big 12 and would bring a lot in terms of rebounding, physicality, and defensive presence.
One source told me that the NCAA could rule on Okwera’s eligibility as soon as this week. Okwera’s Perth Wildcats teammates Ben Henshall just signed with Ole Miss and got cleared by the NCAA. While not exactly the same, the ruling is notable. That shows Henshall’s contract in the NBL was under the threshold to get cleared for NCAA eligibility, which is good news for Okwera. Henshall is 23 months younger than Okwera, so age is more of a consideration for Okwera than Henshall.
