Players Joining BYU Hoops As College Basketball Signing Period Begins

PROVO, Utah – It’s National Signing Day for college basketball. This year’s signing period probably snuck up on you because life on the hoops recruiting trail has been occupied in the Transfer Portal. Especially with a recruiting dead period still in effect (till at least June 1st).

BYU basketball is anticipating one letter of intent from a high school prospect during this signing period. The Cougars are also heavily involved with portal prospects.

Here’s a list of who’s joining the BYU basketball program for the upcoming 2021-22 season and what’s on deck for this signing period that runs through August 1st.

National Signing Day: BYU receives LOI from Atiki

Atiki Ally Atiki | Forward

Excited to announce that 6’11 F Atiki Ally Atiki of @lbahoops has committed to @BYUbasketball – From Mwanza Tanzania originally, Atiki has spent the last two years playing for Coach Provenzano in London Ontario Canada. Has been quite the journey for the young man. pic.twitter.com/vmN5Ow9o5K

— JUCOadvocate (@JUCOadvocate) February 16, 2021

6-foot-11 forward/center Atiki Ally Atiki from London Basketball Academy in Ontario, Canada is officially signed to play for the BYU basketball program. Ally Atiki originally hails from Mwanza, Tanzania.

BYU beat out Oklahoma and San Diego State to land a commitment from Ally Atiki, who will be a true freshman when he arrives at BYU this fall.

Players already signed

Fousseyni Traoré | Wasatch Academy

Last November, BYU signed Fousseynia Traore, a 6-foot-7 forward from Wasatch Academy. BYU coaches offered “Fouss” in August of 2019 and made him one of their top priorities when they took over the BYU program.

Fousseyni received an offer from #BYU in August of 2019. Also had an offer from Seton Hall. Talented prospect. #BYU building a nice pipeline at Wasatch Academy with Richie Saunders, Caleb Lohner, and now Fous Traore. #BYUHoops @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 19, 2020

During his senior year at one of the nation’s top high school programs in Wasatch Academy, Traore averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game. He was high school teammates with Caleb Lohner and Richie Saunders.

Traore hails from the country of Mali in Africa.

“I am so hyped about Fouss. You do not understand. This kid is a monster,” said BYU coach Mark Pope last November. “He’s got the most beautiful heart in the world. He’s such a wonderful young man, and he takes up so much space on the court. He’s incredibly explosive.”

Jake Wahlin | Timpview

A three-star, 6-foot-8, 190-pound guard/forward from nearby Timpview High, Jake Wahlin concluded his prep career as a McDonald’s All-American nominee. Wahlin averaged 13.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game his senior year.

Timpview’s @WahlinJake on why he picked #BYU over Arizona State, USU, SDSU, and others.#BYUHoops @kslsports https://t.co/J2JeUVv3rS pic.twitter.com/bZHFyrHZVv

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 15, 2020

Wahlin committed to BYU last September and signed with the Cougars during National Signing Day in the early period. He has strong connections to the BYU program. His father, Rick, played football for the Cougars in the late 1980s. Jake’s sister, Malery, was part of the BYU women’s volleyball that played Penn State in the National Championship match in 2014. Then his brother-in-law’s are former BYU gridiron stars Harvey Langi and Colby Pearson.

“I grew up a BYU fan. I grew up in Texas, but my dad played football there, and I’ve had some brother-in-law’s play there. So I’ve kind of grew up under that BYU blood,” Wahlin said to KSL Sports in November. “But Coach Pope brought it out in me during this recruiting process, and he really made me wanna go play for them Cougs. I’m more excited than ever. It’s going to be a great ride.”

Called to serve in the Baltic Mission speaking Lithuanian!! Mission includes Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus and Estonia. So excited for this opportunity Heavenly Father has given me! 🇱🇹🇱🇻🇧🇾🇪🇪 pic.twitter.com/Q0DPFjDkCv

— jwall (@WahlinJake) February 24, 2021

Wahlin will serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lithuania before enrolling at BYU.

BYU Basketball Returning Missionaries

Trey Stewart | American Fork High School

Mark Pope has used the word “explosive” to describe Trey Stewart. Stewart took off in his senior year, and he’s viewed as a prospect who has endless potential. He was serving a mission in England before the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Stewart is now serving his mission in Kennewick, Washington, where he is spreading the gospel through impressions slam dunks.

Nate Hansen | Timpview High School

Hansen signed with BYU when Dave Rose was the head coach over UC Davis, Portland, and UC Davis offers. He’s currently serving his mission in Arkansas.

Jeremy DowDell | Olympus High School

DowDell led the state of Utah in scoring as a senior with 29.6 points per game. A sharp-shooter from beyond the arc, DowDell knocked down 43 percent of his three-point attempts as a senior. He will join BYU as a preferred walk-on.

Casey Brown | Pleasant Grove High School

Brown is a three-year varsity player at Pleasant Grove. Averaged 16.8 points per game in his final year with the Vikings. He committed to BYU as a preferred walk-on when Dave Rose was the head coach.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.