Following Senior Night, BYU’s Yoeli Childs Thanks ‘Cougar Nation For Embracing’ Him
Feb 23, 2020, 10:05 PM | Updated: Feb 24, 2020, 12:53 am
PROVO, Utah – BYU star forward Yoeli Childs posted a message of gratitude to “Cougar Nation” following his final home game at the Marriott Center.
Childs and the No. 23 ranked Cougars defeated the No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs in Provo on Senior Night in Provo on Saturday, February 22.
“Still at a loss for words,” Childs posted on Twitter the day after his final game in Provo. “Thank you Cougar Nation for embracing me for 4 years on the best home court in AMERICA! I love you all!”
Still at a loss for words. Thank you Cougar Nation for embracing me for 4 years on the best home court in AMERICA! I love you all!💙 pic.twitter.com/0jZ09R84O8
— Yoeli Childs (@yochilds22) February 24, 2020
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After testing the waters of professional basketball following both his sophomore and junior seasons, Childs returned to BYU for his senior season in 2019.
The forward decided to play out his last year of collegiate eligibility despite having never reached the NCAA Tournament and would be playing for a new head coach in Mark Pope after the coach who recruited him, Dave Rose, retired following Childs’ junior campaign.
“BYU will always be home to me,” said Childs after BYU’s upset of the Zags.
Yoeli Childs: “#BYU will always be home to me.”#BYUhoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/GzKLsrTQsk
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 23, 2020
His decision to return for a senior year of basketball resulted in a nine-game NCAA suspension to start the season.
With Childs in the lineup this season, BYU owns a 15-2 record. He is leading the Cougars with averages of 21.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He is shooting 58.1 percent on field goals in 17 games played.
YOELI PUTS A PUNCTATION MARK ON THE WIN #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/U2dUBEvwD9
— Zak Hicken (@zakhicken) February 23, 2020
After beating the No. 2 team in the nation and putting his team on the verge of its first NCAA tourney berth in five years, Childs’ decision to return to Provo was worth it for more than just him.
After BYU took down Gonzaga, former BYU great Travis Hansen thanked Childs by name for coming back for another season.
“No place on earth like BYU!” Hansen tweeted. “What a night for the seniors! Thank you for coming back Yoeli Childs.”
No place on earth like BYU! What a night for the seniors! Thank you for coming back @yochilds22 🙏🏀😉 pic.twitter.com/qSbarU9Odj
— Travis Hansen (@travishansen24) February 23, 2020
In the win over the Bulldogs, Childs scored a game-high 28 points on 12-19 shooting. He finished the game with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block to lead BYU to a 13 point win.
Childs left the Marriott Center as one of BYU’s seven seniors who will never forget February 22, 2020.
