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BYU sophomore Robert Wright III goes up for a layup during the Big 12 game at Cincinnati on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Rob Wright III (1) reacts during a Big 12 men's basketball game against Texas Tech at the Marriott Center on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Provo, Utah.

Tyler Tate, AP Photo

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Expectations are necessarily high for returning BYU point guard Rob Wright, although few may have higher expectations than his head coach as the Cougars prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

When addressing the prospects of Wright, who will be entering his junior season and second season in Provo, BYU Coach Kevin Young stated quite directly what he anticipates from the 6-foot-1 guard who is originally from Delaware.

“I think he’s going to be the best point guard in college basketball as we head into this next season,” Young said. “I really was impressed with his level of improvement from his freshman year to his sophomore year, particularly in our style of play, and I think he’s really matured.”

High expectations indeed, although the numbers certainly back up Young’s beliefs.

After transferring from Baylor prior to last season, Wright put up fantastic numbers, which included scoring 18.1 points per game while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range and averaging 4.6 assists. All those numbers were significantly raised from his freshman debut for the Bears, which made him one of the more sought-after transfer portal targets prior to last season.

So it stands to reason that Wright’s allure was raised even higher a year later when he opted to again enter the transfer portal again before deciding to return to play in Provo for a second straight season.

The decision was somewhat of a surprising one, with many assuming he’d wind up at Kentucky after taking a much-publicized visit to Lexington. More than several reports surfaced just prior to the visit that the plan would be to commit and then sign with Mark Pope and the Wildcats, although Wright himself had different plans.

“I was there for like a day, and then the second day I just went to the airport because I just wanted to come back to BYU. That was my mindset the whole time,” Wright said of his Kentucky visit.

Now that he’s back for a second-straight season in Provo, the hope is for him to bring back a lot of his stellar play while developing into an even better product overall.

“I think he’s primed to take on just a bigger role across the spectrum of our team, and that doesn’t necessarily mean just scoring,” Young said. ” … He’s a guy I think that’s really going to make the big jump. So we couldn’t have been more thrilled to get him back. There was a lot of nonsense, honestly, that was going on with all (his recruiting) and a lot of it is just the byproduct of the way that the system is set up at the moment, so I’m just glad to have him back.”

One thing that could help Wright considerably are the players Young and his staff have worked to surround Wright with. Following BYU’s disappointing loss to Texas in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Young stated a desire to bring in better shooting, and feels he’s done as much with the addition of players such as Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler and Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey, among others.

Through practice sessions Wright has noted the ability of those around him and looks forward to working with all of them.

“I feel super great and confident knowing that I got guys to finish plays and make their own plays as well,” Wright said. “I mean, I’ve known Tyler Betsey since I was maybe like 15 or 14 (years gold), because he played … up the street in New York. So I know he can shoot the ball well … So I think coach did exactly what he said.”

And through practice sessions, Wright has seen it all work in relative concert and lit up when asked about how he’s connecting with Chandler, Betsey and the rest of his new teammates.

“I just like how fast we’re gelling,” Wright said. “I just think the group is coming together super fast. I think we spend a lot of time together. I think with the new day and age, with how the portal is, and that it may be a new team every year, so just getting that chemistry early is the most important thing.”

As for Wright individually, he’s working perhaps most ardently on two key areas to improve not only his play, but the overall play of the team.

“I’m just trying to step into that leadership role,” he said. “I had a great leader last year, and Richie (Suanders) didn’t get to finish the season with us, which you often tell hurt us a little bit in the year with the ups and downs … but I’m just trying to grow as leader and just keep going and moving forward.”

And while he’s a proven performer on the offensive end, with his prolific shooting and off-the-dribble penetration, Wright’s second stated focus is on the other end of the floor.

“I’ve been working super hard, just trying to lock in on that and make it a strength,” Wright said of his focus on playing better defense. “And then just finishing plays, and making the right plays. When I get past guys and into the paint making the right decisions.”

All of it may be enhanced considerably by playing a second-straight season in one system administered by the same head coach, which is an aspect many top athletes choose not to benefit from in this day and age of collegiate athletics.

“I think it can help a lot,” Wright concluded. “I mean, obviously that was a big goal of mine. I wanted to stay here, just be able to be comfortable … and not have to restart all over again. So, I was really big when I was making my decision, and I honestly just feel great.”