Conan Catchings, a projected first-round pick in 2025, told ESPN he is committed to BYU.
“My family and I met with Coach Young and the coaching staff last week and we clicked immediately,” Catchings told ESPN. “I knew right away that it was the best fit for me.”
Catchings, who committed to Purdue after his sophomore year of high school, elected to reopen his recruitment earlier this month. He visited Florida State and North Carolina State as well as BYU before choosing the Cougars.
She is the nephew of Naismith Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, who was named the WNBA MVP and 10-time All-Star during a decorated career with the Indiana Fever that also included four Olympic gold medals.
Cannon’s mother, Tauja, played college basketball at Illinois and was a WNBA draft pick, while his grandfather, Harvey Catchings, spent 11 seasons in the NBA.
Catchings is the second projected first-round pick for incoming head coach Kevin Young, along with Russian wing and Real Madrid player Egor Demin. Young left an associate head-coaching position with the Phoenix Suns to replace Mark Pope, who moved to Kentucky after John Calipari left for Arkansas.
Catchings, a 6-foot-10 forward, played his senior year of high school in Atlanta’s Overtime Elite, averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. He shot 37% from 3 for the Cold Hearts and was coached by current BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning, who was also instrumental in recruiting Demin in his first month on the job in Provo, Utah.
BYU returns three starters from a team that made the NCAA Tournament in its first season in the Big 12 in Trevin Nell, Dallin Hall and Fauceini Traore. Key backups Richie Saunders and Dawson Baker, a former All-Big West player who missed almost all of last season with a foot injury, are also back.
The Cougars also landed two Power 5 starters in Keba Keita from Utah and Mawot Mag from Rutgers transfer portal.
“Coach Young emphasizes building relationships and I have complete confidence in him,” Catchings said. “I’m excited to learn from him and improve as a player. We have a great group of guys on our roster and we all share the same goals. I can’t wait to get started.”
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.
