Andrew Pace
The BYU Cougars men's basketball team has a long history of success, with numerous awards and accolades to its name. The team was established in 1902 and has since won 27 conference championships, 3 conference tournament championships, 2 NIT tournaments, and competed in 32 NCAA tournaments. The Cougars have a rich history of individual player awards as well, with notable players like Richie Saunders, Egor Demin, and Gabe Madsen receiving high-profile honours. With a strong performance in the 2024-25 season, the team continues to add to its impressive list of achievements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Conference Championships | 27 |
| Conference Tournament Championships | 3 |
| NIT Tournaments | 2 (1951 and 1966) |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 32 |
| All-Big 12 Honors (2023-24) | 4 |
| All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions (2023-24) | 4 |
| Big 12 Most Improved Player (2024-25) | Richie Saunders |
| All-Big 12 First Team (2024-25) | Richie Saunders |
| Sixth Man of the Year | Jaxson Robinson |
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What You'll Learn
BYU Cougars men's basketball team history
The BYU Cougars men's basketball team has a long and illustrious history, representing Brigham Young University in NCAA Division I basketball. The team was established in 1902 or 1903, playing their first game against Utah State University in 1906 and first facing the University of Utah in 1909—both rivalries continue to this day.
In over a century of play, the Cougars have amassed an impressive record, ranking 12th among all Division I programs with 1,786 wins. They've won 27 conference championships, 3 conference tournament championships, and 2 NIT Tournaments (1951 and 1966). They've also made 31 or 32 appearances in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Elite 8 three times (1950, 1951, and 1981), their deepest runs in the tournament.
The Cougars have had notable success in recent years as well. In the 2024-25 season, they finished with a 23-8 record, including notable wins over ranked Arizona and Iowa State teams, and a record-breaking win over Kansas. The team has also seen individual players excel, with Richie Saunders receiving two high-profile All-Big 12 awards in 2025, including being named the Big 12's Most Improved Player.
BYU's men's basketball program has been a significant source of revenue for the university, contributing about 15% of the athletics revenue in 2009. The team's success has also translated into recognition for its players and coaches. Former coach Stan Watts retired as the winningest coach in BYU history, and Krešimir Ćosić became the first international player to be named an All-American. BYU has produced NBA draft picks like Travis Hansen and Rafael Araujo, and more recently, highly touted recruits like Dybantsa, who became the highest-rated recruit in BYU history.
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All-Big 12 awards
The BYU Cougars men's basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball, with numerous accolades and a long-standing rivalry with Utah State University and the University of Utah. The team currently competes in the Big 12 Conference, marking their second season in the league.
In the 2024-25 season, four BYU players earned All-Big 12 honours, with two players in particular standing out: Richie Saunders and Egor Demin.
Saunders, a pivotal figure in BYU's success, was named the Big 12's Most Improved Player and was also selected for the All-Big 12 First Team. This recognition came as a result of his impressive scoring record, averaging 16.0 points per contest during the regular season.
Teammate Egor Demin also received accolades, securing a spot on the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team. Demin's performance was so impressive that he was officially invited to the NBA draft combine.
These awards are voted on by the league's head coaches, recognising the outstanding talent and contributions of these BYU players in the 2024-25 season.
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Richie Saunders' high-profile awards
Richie Saunders, a BYU Cougars basketball player, has won multiple high-profile awards throughout his career. BYU, short for Brigham Young University, has a long history of success in basketball, with 27 conference championships, 3 conference tournament championships, and 2 NIT tournament wins.
During the 2024-25 season, Saunders received two high-profile All-Big 12 awards. He was named the Big 12's Most Improved Player and was selected for the All-Big 12 First Team. This was a result of his impressive performance, where he scored a team-high of 16.0 points per contest during the regular season, a significant improvement from the previous season's average of 9.6 points per game.
Saunders' awards are a testament to his pivotal role in the success of his team, BYU. His performance and contributions as a 6-foot-5 wing player were recognized by the league's head coaches, who vote on the All-Big 12 men's basketball awards.
In addition to his All-Big 12 awards, Saunders has also achieved other notable accolades earlier in his career. In 2020, he was named the Best Male Athlete in his state. He was also a three-star recruit, rated as the 45th best shooting guard in the nation by 247Sports Composite. Furthermore, he received First Team All-State honors as a sophomore and Second Team All-State honors as a freshman at Riverton High School.
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BYU's national championships
BYU Cougars men's basketball team has a rich history, with the team being established in 1902 and first fielded in 1903. The team has had notable success over the years, winning multiple awards and championships.
In terms of national championships, BYU has won a total of 12 national championships in NCAA competition across various sports, including two National Invitation Tournament (NIT) basketball titles. The most recent championship was won by the men's cross country team in 2019, with the women's cross country team also claiming multiple championships, most recently in 2020-21 and previously in 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1997.
The BYU Cougars men's basketball team has contributed to the school's national championship tally with two NIT basketball championship wins. The first NIT championship was won in 1951, with BYU defeating Dayton 62-43 in Madison Square Garden, New York City. This was the program's first national title. The second NIT championship was claimed in 1966, with BYU defeating NYU 97-84, also in Madison Square Garden.
In addition to these NIT championships, the BYU Cougars men's basketball team has had notable success in NCAA tournaments, appearing 32 times and reaching the Elite 8 in 1950, 1951, and 1981, their deepest runs in the tournament. The team has also won 27 conference championships, 3 conference tournament championships, and produced notable players who have gone on to have successful NBA careers.
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All-American players
The Brigham Young University Cougars men's basketball team has a rich history, with numerous awards and accolades to its name. The team first tipped off in 1903 and has since established itself as a force in college basketball.
One of the standout achievements of BYU Cougars men's basketball is their All-American players. The first international player to be named an All-American was Krešimir Ćosić, a native of Yugoslavia (modern-day Croatia). Ćosić's jersey was retired in 2006, honouring his groundbreaking achievement.
In addition to Ćosić, BYU has boasted other notable All-American players. Jimmer Fredette, who joined the team in 2007, is one such standout player. Fredette helped lead BYU to their first NCAA tournament victory in 17 years in 2010, with a double-overtime win against the University of Florida. The following year, BYU advanced to the Sweet 16 as a #3 seed.
Another notable All-American is Danny Ainge, who, in 1981, won the Wooden Award as the nation's most outstanding player. That same year, the Cougars reached the Elite Eight, falling just short of the Final Four.
BYU has also signed AJ Dybantsa, ESPN's #1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, who is anticipated to be a top NBA draft pick in 2026. Dybantsa has become the highest-rated recruit in BYU history, showcasing the program's ongoing ability to attract top talent.
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Frequently asked questions
Four BYU players earned All-Big 12 honors.
The BYU Cougars men's basketball team has won 27 conference championships.
BYU has won 12 national championships in NCAA competition.
One BYU player, Danny Ainge, has won the Wooden Award.
