Former UVU Guard Brandon Averette Transfers To BYU

Jun 12, 2020, 6:27 PM | Updated: Jun 13, 2020, 10:17 pm

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah Valley men’s basketball guard Brandon Averette announced that he will transfer to BYU and play his final season of college basketball for Mark Pope and the Cougars.

Averette tweeted about his decision to leave the Wolverines and join the BYU men’s basketball program on Friday, June 12. He will be immediately eligible to play for the Cougars in the upcoming 2020-21 season.

“I would like to thank God for putting the talents and the people in my life to help me grow and succeed,” Averette tweeted. “Thank you to my family, all my coaches, and teammates that have helped me to this point. I’m excited to announce that I will be playing my senior season at BYU.”

I would like to thank God for putting the talents and the people in my life to help me grow and succeed. Thank you to my family, all my coaches, and teammates that have helped me to this point. I’m excited to announce that I will be playing my senior season at BYU. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/qrCTAjXc0i

— Brandon Averette (@BAforever_4) June 13, 2020

BYU Coaches on Brandon Averette

Shortly after Averette’s tweet was published, BYU basketball confirmed the news.

We're excited to welcome @BAforever_4 to the Best Locker Room in America!! #GoCougs #BYUhoops #BLRA pic.twitter.com/WFWRunfaoC

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) June 13, 2020

“Brandon Averette is one of the most explosive, cat-quick, clever playmakers in college basketball,” Pope said in a statement. “We feel so blessed to have him join our locker room. He is universally beloved by his teammates for his competitive spirit and playmaking ability. It’s going to take about two seconds for Cougar fans to fall in love with his quiet charisma and winning charm.”

BYU assistant coach Cody Fueger shared Averette’s tweet and his excitement for the Cougars’ newest player.

“Let’s go BA! Tough as nails! BYU is going to love this guy!” Fueger posted. “Going to be a great year!”

Let’s go BA! Tough as nails! BYU is going to love this guy! Going to be a great year! https://t.co/ixT4T88vwI

— Cody Fueger (@Cody_Fueger) June 13, 2020

Chris Burgess, another assistant coach on Pope’s staff, tweeted, “Let’s go! Fired up to coach BA again! Cougar nation is gonna love how hard Brandon Averette competes on both ends of the floor.”

Let’s go! Fired up to coach BA again! Cougar nation is gonna love how hard @BAforever_4 competes on both ends of the floor. 🔥🏀💪🏼 #BYUhoops #GoCougs https://t.co/o9qGMvdkJ4

— Chris Burgess (@chrisburgess34) June 13, 2020

BYU assistant Nick Robinson also shared his excitement about adding Averette to the roster.

“Excited to welcome Brandon Averette to the BYU basketball family!!” posted Robinson.

Excited to welcome @BAforever_4 to the @BYUbasketball family!! 👊🏽💙#GoCougs #BLRA #BYUhoops https://t.co/UuHYyoaKn8

— Nick Robinson (@CoachNick_BYU) June 13, 2020

About Brandon Averette

The former UVU guard played his first two seasons of college basketball at Oklahoma State. Averette transferred to play for Pope and the Wolverines prior to the 2018-19 season but had to sit the year out due to NCAA transfer rules.

After the season, Pope was hired as BYU’s head coach.

The guard played for Utah Valley during the 2019-20 season and started all 30 games. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game as a redshirt junior.

.@UVUmbb opened the Mark Madsen era with a 72-55 win over Westminster. Isaiah White had a career-high 25 and Brandon Averette had 16 points including a crazy, circus shot. #uvu pic.twitter.com/VVpM35CMIq

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) November 6, 2019

Averette earned WAC All-Newcomer team honors in his first and only season with UVU.

He decided to graduate transfer after the season.

Decisions Decisions…🤔

— Brandon Averette (@BAforever_4) June 11, 2020

BYU Basketball

BYU ended the 2019-20 campaign ranked No. 18 in the country and finished No. 2 in the WCC.

The Cougars posted a 24-8 record in Coach Pope’s first season as BYU’s head coach.

Averette is one of three former Utah Valley players now on the Cougars’ roster for the 2020-21 season. Former Wolverines Richard Harward and Wyatt Lowell transferred to BYU prior to the 2019-20 season and didn’t play last season due to NCAA transfer rules.