Eleven years ago, Tyler Haws etched his name into BYU basketball history, breaking the program’s career scoring record just four years after it had been rewritten.
On Feb. 26, 2015, late in his senior season, Haws surpassed Jimmer Fredette’s 2,599 career points early in the first half against the University of Portland.
Before Fredette claimed the record in 2011, Danny Ainge stood atop BYU’s scoring list for 40 years with 2,467 points. Many believed Fredette’s mark would stand for decades, but through consistency over four seasons, Haws cemented his place among BYU’s all-time greats.
A Utah native, Haws was heavily recruited before committing to play for BYU. After a promising freshman season, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines. He returned to Provo and posted standout sophomore and junior campaigns, averaging more than 20 points per game while shooting better than 45% from the field.
The Cougars entered the matchup against Portland 21-8 during the 2014-15 season, with NCAA tournament hopes still alive after a second-round exit the previous year.
Haws entered the game needing seven points to break the record, building anticipation among BYU fans. With just under 15 minutes remaining in the first half, he scored on a layup to surpass the mark, becoming BYU’s career scoring leader.
Although the game was played in Portland, BYU fans dotted the crowd and erupted in cheers. For Haws, the moment was surreal.
“To break a record like that, it’s a pretty special thing,” Haws said. “I just love being at BYU and it’s a really cool feeling right now. This has been an unbelievable ride.”
Coach Dave Rose also felt the weight of the moment.
“When he hit the fourth basket to get his eighth point, I felt a little bit different,” Rose said. "It was kind of weird. It came in the flow of the game, but I don’t know if relief was the word. I felt good for him and that thing was over and let’s go compete.”
Despite the milestone, the game remained close, with BYU leading by two with under four minutes remaining. The Cougars closed on a 13-0 run, including six points from Haws, to secure an 82-69 victory.
BYU closed the regular season with a 73-70 win over No. 3 Gonzaga before winning back-to-back West Coast Conference tournament games and advancing to the championship.
The Cougars fell in the title game to Gonzaga, then ranked No. 7, but the tournament run earned them a bid to the NCAA tournament. BYU ultimately lost to Ole Miss in the First Four, 94-90, to end the season.
While the postseason finish fell short of expectations, Haws excelled in his final season with the Cougars, averaging 21.9 points per game while shooting better than 47% from the field and 36% beyond the arc.
That consistency produced a lasting legacy. Haws finished his career with 2,720 points, still the most in BYU history, and remains the only Cougar to surpass 2,600 career points. In an era defined by the transfer portal and early NBA declarations, it’s possible he could hold the scoring crown for decades to come.
Eleven years later, the record still stands.