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BYU's Spencer Johnson drives to the basket in a Big 12 men's basketball game against Texas at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Jaxson Robinson goes up for a shot in a Big 12 men's basketball game against Texas at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Tredyn Christensen (right) defends a shot by Saint Mary's guard Aiden Mahaney during a men's college basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday, January 28, 2023.

Harold Mitchell/Special to the Herald

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Spencer Johnson’s college basketball career has proved again and again that he isn’t afraid of a challenge.

Johnson is one of three players to be honored on Senior Night as BYU hosts Oklahoma State Saturday to conclude the Big 12 regular season.

The former American Fork star had a circuitous route to Provo. After serving a church mission to Italy, he spent semesters at Weber State and Utah Valley before landing at Salt Lake Community College in 2019. After helping the Bruins to the No. 4 seed in the NJCAA Tournament, Johnson finally got his opportunity to play for BYU.

“It’s kind of weird,” Johnson said when asked about Senior Night. “Four years here has been incredible. I’ve been super blessed to have a great career and to be able to play for four years.”

Johnson didn’t start any games his first two seasons in Provo but has started 51 since then, averaging 11.1 and 10.4 points per game, respectively, in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He’s also contributed as a rebounder (5.6 per game this season), as a distributer (3.3 per game) and as a lockdown defender who often matches up against the opponent’s top scorer.

“This Spencer Johnson, you can’t say enough about his journey,” BYU coach Mark Pope said. “First of all, it did not start well for him. It’s hard to get to three schools in two years. And then training camp (at BYU) was really hard for him. Eventually that first year he kind of started earning himself some time on the court just because he can guard. Offensively, he was tricky. But you kind of leave him out there and I remember saying this over and over, I can just leave Spence out there and kind of forget he’s out there.

“Every year he’s just improved so dramatically. This year he has just made incredible strides as a playmaker and he’s taken on more and more of a leadership role. And you think about what he’s done academically and what he’s done with his real estate career, and what he’s done with his family life. How could you not wish for your son to have that college experience? He’s a shining light example of what you can do if you stick with it.”

Johnson and his wife Izzy had their first child, a boy named Joey, a couple of weeks ago. Johnson said he will hire an agent at the end of the season to explore his professional opportunities.

How does he want to be remembered?

As someone who was a competitor,” he said. “A good teammate, someone that loves the game and has just loved his time here.”

Jaxson Robinson, who leads the team with in scoring at 13.9 points per game, will be honored on Saturday as well, even though he could return in 2024-25. Robinson has been mentioned as a possible NBA draft pick and is exploring that possibility this summer.

“If he’s a first round pick, he’s got to go,” Pope said. “We’ll find out a lot more. It’s going to be about helping him explore where his heart is. So it’s really exciting times for him. He’s a terrific player with a terrific upside. He’s put together a really, really spectacular season with his team and he’s growing so fast.”

The other senior who to be honored is former Westlake standout Tredyn Christensen, a walk-on who hasn’t played this season due to injury.

Noah Waterman, who played at Niagara and Detroit Mercy before transferring to BYU in 2022, is listed as a senior and needs a waiver to play next season. Pope said he has high hopes that Waterman will be granted the waiver.

Scouting Report

BYU fans and the Cougars remember the last game against Oklahoma State well: A 93-83 loss in Stillwater on Feb. 17.

The Cowboys — the 12th-rated offense (out of 14) in Big 12 play — shot 60% from the field and 50% (11 of 22) from the 3-point line in scoring the most points allowed by the Cougars all season. Freshmen Brandon Garrison and Jamyron Keller, who average just over 13 points between them, scored 22 and 21, respectively, in the victory.

“This is definitely a payback game for us,” Johnson said. “As long as we do the things that make us successful, we don’t turn the ball over and we hit our free throws and hit shots where we play aggressively and confidently, it will take care of itself.”

After beating BYU, Oklahoma State topped Cincinnati (80-76) and pushed Oklahoma to overtime before losing on a last-second shot. That game was the start of a four-game losing streak, the past two by 15 and 18 points, respectively, to Texas and Texas Tech.

The Cowboys are tied for last place in league play (4-13) and are locked into a first-round Big 12 Tournament game next Tuesday.

BYU, is tied for sixth place at 9-8 with TCU, one game behind Texas Tech and Kansas in fourth place. The Cougars could earn the No. 5 seed with a win on Saturday but tiebreakers will ultimately determine that seeding.

Men’s College Basketball

Oklahoma State (12-18, 4-13 Big 12) at No. 20 BYU (21-9, 9-8 Big 12)

Saturday, 7 p.m. MT

Marriott Center, Provo

TV: None

Streaming: Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Radio: Sirius XM 143/BYU Radio.org/BYU Radio app/KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM

Live stats: byucougars.com

The Word: Oklahoma State won the first meeting 93-83 in Stillwater, a game BYU trailed 49-34 at halftime. … With eight 3-pointers against Iowa State, this year’s Cougars now own the single-season record for triples with 337. … BYU is just 33 3-point shots from taking 1,000 from beyond the arc this season. … The game on Saturday is officially listed as a sellout.

Senior Night 2024

Spencer Johnson 6-5 G American Fork, Utah

Served a church mission to Italy. … Transferred from Salt Lake Community College for the 2020-21 season. … Scored a career-high 28 points against Iowa State on Jan. 16. … In four seasons in Provo has played in 115 games, starting 51. … Johnson has scored 918 points (8.0 per game) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line (133 of 352). … Is married to Isabella (Izzy) and the couple had a son, Joey, in February.

Jaxson Robinson 6-7 G Ada, Oklahoma

Played at Texas A&M and Arkansas before transferring to BYU for the 2022-23 season. … Scored a career-high 28 points against Denver in December. … Has played in 61 games at BYU, starting 36 and has scored 671 at BYU (10.1 per game) while shooting 34% from the 3-point line (129 of 370). … His mother, Brandi Robinson-McWilliams, was an All-American basketball player at SE Oklahoma State.

Tredyn Christensen, 6-7 F Eagle Mountain, Utah

Played at Snow College and Chaminade (Hawaii) before transferring to BYU as a walk-on in 2021-22. … Last season appeared in nine games, scoring 11 points and grabbing ten rebounds. … Has not played this season due to injury. … Is married to Aliyah and the couple have a son, Kydn.

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