BYU’s Kanon Catchings Makes History With Perfect Performance Against Baylor
Jan 29, 2025, 3:08 AM
BYU basketball freshman Kanon Catchings had a perfect performance in an overtime win over Baylor. (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball freshman Kanon Catchings had a night to remember in the Cougars’ 93-89 overtime win over Baylor.
The 6-foot-9 forward came off the bench and delivered the best performance of his young college career.
Kanon Catchings makes college basketball history for a freshman
Catchings finished with 23 points on a perfect 8-of-8 from the field. He was also 3-of-3 from the free-throw line.
Perfect night for @kanoncatchings. pic.twitter.com/VYR6guriPL
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 29, 2025
That perfect performance was historic.
According to Stats Perform, Catchings is the first Division I freshman in the 21st century to have a perfect single-game stat line, including 8-for-8 from the field, 4-for-4 from three, and 3-for-3 from the line.
Kanon Catchings of @BYUMBB is the only Division I freshman this century to go 8-for-8 or better from the field, 4-for-4 or better from three and 3-for-3 or better from the line in a single game. pic.twitter.com/4sYkSufanQ
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 29, 2025
In the postgame, the Brownsburg, Indiana native said it was his first perfect game of shooting from the field in his basketball career.
It’s a memorable performance for a player who was moved from BYU’s starting lineup to the bench two weeks ago. After an adjustment period, Catchings has settled into his new role, and he put together his best game of the year on a night when 30+ NBA scouts were in attendance at the Marriott Center.
“You don’t miss a shot; I guess you can call that a breakout game. He was tremendous,” said BYU head coach Kevin Young on Catchings’ performance against Baylor. “But, happy for him because he stayed the course. I think my coaching staff has done a good job of just staying in the trenches with him, keeping him positive, and he’s done a good job of just keeping his head down and working. He was unbelievable tonight.”
Catchings’ famous aunt was in attendance
What makes the performance even more special for Catchings is that his aunt, Women’s Basketball legend Tamika Catchings, was also in attendance to see her nephew score a career-high 23 points in BYU’s first Quad 1 victory of the season.
WNBA legend Tamika Catchings is here at BYU vs. Baylor.
Great night for Kanon Catchings to have a big game. pic.twitter.com/EUzHGzMVPk
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 29, 2025
Kanon Catchings is averaging 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 43.2% shooting from the field this season.
A former four-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting cycle, Kanon Catchings is one of the highest-rated recruits BYU has signed in program history.
Up next for Kanon Catchings and BYU basketball
BYU is now 14-6 overall this season and 5-4 in Big 12 Conference play. Catchings and the Cougars return to action this Saturday when they travel to the East Coast to take on the UCF Knights at 2 p.m. (MST) on ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM).
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
