BYU basketball had an eventful week with one transfer, one recruit and four honor roll awards.
Elijah Bryant, a 6-foot-4-inch combo guard, announced his transfer from Elon University to BYU on July 28. BYU heard the good news via Bryant's Instagram account. He has a 38.2 shooting percentage from the field and 34.9 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Bryant played in all of Elon's games during the past season. He will be a powerful contribution to the BYU basketball team, although he won't be able to play during the 2015–2016 season due to the NCAA transfer rules.
Post Falls' Max McCullough moves the ball past Highland's Connor Harding during the second half of the Class 5A State Championship high school basketball game in Nampa, Idaho, on Saturday, March 7, 2015. Post Falls won 67-62 in overtime. (AP)
After receiving offers from Stanford and BYU, Conner Harding, of Pocetello, Idaho, is Cougar-committed. He is BYU's third commitment, and the 6-foot-6-inch combo guard weighing 195 pounds won't have problems getting into the key. Harding is ranked as one of ESPN's top 100 high school prospects in his 2016 class.
According to ESPN's scouting report, Harding is a 'solid-looking wing-type with good length and a nice dose of athleticism.' He is known for attacking in transition and penetration as well as his ability to weave from the top to the rim at a 'consistent rate.' He is the second Top 100 player who has committed to BYU's incoming recruits.
Harding reiterated his plans to serve an LDS mission immediately following high school. He would begin his BYU career in 2018, according to KSL's Greg Wrubell.
Skyler Halford, Tyler Haws, Isaac Neilson and Luke Worthington were all added to the 14th annual WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll. The four Cougars earned Bronze honors, meaning they balanced athletic responsibilities with a school schedule and earned a GPA of 3–3.49. More than 1,350 student-athletes qualified for recognition, establishing a conference record for the second consecutive season. The 2013–2014 season marked the first year more than 1,200 student-athletes met the selection criteria, according to a press release.
BYU hired former Lone Peak High School basketball coach Quincy Lewis in April, finalizing the new coaching staff. 'Quincy brings great knowledge of the game and a winning attitude,' BYU basketball coach Dave Rose said in an April press release. 'He has been successful everywhere he's been as a player and a coach, and I look forward to adding Quincy to our team.'