BYU Roundup: Young, Cougars reportedly land Polish post player
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- BYU men’s basketball head coach Kevin Young reacts on the sideline in a game against Abilene Christian at the Marriott Center on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
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- BYU fans storm the court after the Cougars upset No. 10 Texas Tech 82-76 at the Marriott Center on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The work is not yet complete, but the BYU men’s basketball team took a big step on Tuesday in finalizing its 2026-27 roster.
According to multiple reports, 23-year old Jakub Urbaniak, a 6-9 post, has committed to play for the Cougars.
Urbaniak is from Poland and just finished his first season playing for Slask Wroclaw in the Eurocup, averaging 7.7 points and five rebounds per game. He also has experience playing with Poland’s national team at the FIBA level. His highlight tape showed Urbaniak flying through the key for dunks, protecting the rim with an impressive series of blocks and displaying 3-point range on the offensive end.
Arman Jovic of PDT Scouting: “Very strong athlete with a high motor, really energetic and passionate on the defensive end and can take guys off the bounce. Urbaniak works as a 5 but he’s also very much a forward that thrives as a cutter, good offensive rebounder, strong defensive anticipation thanks to his long wingspan and effective transition rim runner. Spent most of his possessions as a spot-up shooter and wasn’t an efficient one.
“Should scale up, coming off as a productive Eurocup player. A B12 jump could help his stock much like his former teammate at Gran Canaria, Massamba Diop, even if coming in as a senior.”
ESPN College Basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla said, “BYU men’s basketball has finally landed their big man in 23-year-old ‘Polish Hammer,’ Jakub Urbaniak. His pro experience and hoops IQ will allow him to step in quickly. The Robert Wright pick and roll connection just got deadly.”
BYU has yet to officially announce the signing and has two additional scholarships available to fill all 15 spots in the roster.
Cutting named national Indoor Scholar Athlete of the Year
NEW ORLEANS — Carter Cutting was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Indoor National Scholar Track Athlete of the Year.
Cutting earned the distinction after an indoor track season where he set the BYU school record in the mile clocking a 3:52.84 at the David Henry Valentine Invitational to push his record nearly two seconds ahead of former NCAA indoor mile national champion and record holder Miles Batty. The junior ended the indoor season crowned the Big 12 champion in the mile and the NCAA national champion in the same event. Cutting also helped the distance medley relay team place sixth at the NCAA National Championship with a 9:35.98 finish.
The Wilsonville, Ore., product, who majors in Finance with a 3.81 GPA, then claimed the BYU 1500-meter school record with a 3:35.95 performance at the NCAA National Championship where he finished on the podium in eighth. Cutting notably also set the No. 7 all-time BYU record in the outdoor 800m with a 1:47.02 at the BYU Robison Invitational and was named the 2026 Big 12 Men’s Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Cougars included on East-West Bowl Watch List
TAMPA, Florida — Eleven BYU football upperclassmen were included on the 2027 Shriners Children’s 1,000 Watch List announced by the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl. The watchlist identifies the nation’s top NFL draft eligible players for the 2026 college football season.
Representing BYU on the list is safety Raider Damuni, offensive lineman Andrew Gentry, linebacker Isaiah Glasker, cornerback Evan Johnson, running back LJ Martin, center Bruce Mitchell, safety Faletau Satuala, defensive end Bodie Schoonover, offensive lineman Kyle Sfarcioc, defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa and linebacker Cade Uluave.
The 101st edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl Game is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2027, at 6 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The game will be televised nationally on NFL Network.
The East-West Shrine Bowl benefits Shriners Children’s and its mission to provide advanced pediatric specialty care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status.
Five Cougar golfers advance to match play at Utah Women’s State Am
FARMINGTON, Utah — BYU golfers Nya Palmer, Whitney Banz, Berlin Long, Aadyn Long and Ava Schroeder advanced to match play Monday at the 120th Utah Women’s State Amateur Championship at Oakridge Country Club.
All five Cougars finished inside the field of 32, with three placing among the top six.
Palmer led the group with an even-par 72, tying former Cougar Sunbin Seo for second place. After a double bogey on hole two, the sophomore made birdies on Nos. 4 and 8 to finish the front nine at even par. She completed the round with a bogey on No. 10 and a birdie on No. 18.
Banz made birdies on Nos. 6 and 8 and a bogey on No. 9 to go 1 under after nine holes. With birdies on Nos. 10 and 16 and bogeys on Nos. 11, 14, 15 and 17, Banz finished with a 1-over 73, putting her in a tie for fourth after stroke play.
Berlin Long carded a 6-over 78 to tie for 25th. Schroeder, a junior, and Aadyn Long, a sophomore, each shot a 7-over 79. Both Schroeder and Aadyn Long advanced to match play by winning a playoff for two of the final three spots.
Match play begins Tuesday with the Round of 32 and Round of 16.
