BYU’s frontcourt picture changed quickly this week, with one big man headed out and another already on campus to take his place.
Jakub Urbaniak will not join the Cougars this season after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA. Urbaniak, who had been expected to be BYU’s starting center when he first committed in July, has instead signed with CB Gran Canaria, the club announced this morning.
His path became murkier after the NCAA tightened its scrutiny in May on the professional league where international players competed and how much they earned before arriving in the U.S. Urbaniak ran into issues getting clearance and ultimately chose to go back to Europe rather than pursue an appeals process.
His role at BYU had already shifted after the signing of Jaxon Kohler, who is also dealing with eligibility questions of his own.
With Urbaniak gone, BYU has moved quickly to patch the hole. Sources tell me the Cougars have landed 7-foot-1 Serbian big man Petar Ostojic, who is currently on campus and arrived earlier this week.
Ostojic is 19 and listed at 215cm by his club team, which works out to 7-foot-1. He first drew attention last summer at the FIBA U18 Euro Basket, where he put together a standout game against North Macedonia with 25 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks.
How much he plays this season will hinge in part on Kohler’s situation. As I wrote in late August, both Kohler and Urbaniak were dealing with eligibility questions. There is little concern that Ostojic will have trouble getting cleared, given the low level he has played at, and everyone in his situation has been approved by the NCAA.
Kohler is currently eligible, but that status could still change as fifth-year player eligibility is being debated in state courts. He is on campus and practicing with the team.
In the best-case setup for BYU, Ostojic spends this season developing and gives the Cougars spot minutes against bigger frontcourts. If Kohler stays eligible, he would start, with Mboup handling the primary backup five duties and Ostojic filling in based on matchup size and foul trouble. If Kohler is ruled ineligible, Ostojic’s role would grow, and he would become the backup five behind Mboup.
Either way, BYU gets what it needs most in the paint: more size, more depth and some much-needed insurance.
With Ostojic in and Urbaniak out, BYU now has one scholarship opening. Two sources have told me the Cougars may hold that spot for a mid-year international addition, similar to what BYU did with Abdullah Ahmed last season.
In Other News...
BYUs Frontcourt Addition Could Matter More Than Fans Realize
BYU has quietly added another layer to its frontcourt with the arrival of Serbian center Petar Ostojic, a 19-year-old seven-footer who already brings professional experience from Serbian leagues. For a roster still taking shape, the move gives the Cougars a bigger body in the paint and a player who can develop behind Jaxon Kohler, a spot that could matter even more if the season starts with questions at center.
Kohlers eligibility for the upcoming season remains unresolved, with a hearing set for Sept. 29, and that uncertainty is what gives Ostojics addition extra weight. If BYU ends up needing immediate size and depth, the Cougars may find that this understated pickup ends up carrying more significance than it first appeared to have. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Secondary Is Still Waiting On One Crucial Return
BYUs defense came out of its season opener with a lopsided win over Utah Tech, but the secondary was left sorting through the fallout after safety Raider Damuni went down with a severe leg injury. The Cougars have already had to reshuffle some things behind the scenes, and defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga has been clear that Damunis absence has forced others into bigger roles sooner than planned.
There is at least a timeline now, and it gives BYU some reason for patience. Poppinga indicated Damuni is aiming to get back after the bye week, with the possibility of returning for either TCU or Notre Dame, while Tommy Prassas has moved into a starting safety spot in the meantime. For a defense trying to stay steady with quarterback Noah Fifita on deck, the next stretch will say plenty about how well the Cougars can hold the line until one of their most important pieces is ready again. [Read more 🡒]
Treyson Bourguet Just Shared Why BYU Means More Than Football
Treyson Bourguet arrived at BYU last year after transferring from Western Michigan, and his role as a backup quarterback has given him a different kind of spotlight than the one most fans usually track. On BYUtvs Sports Nation, he talked about how his time in Provo has shaped more than his game, describing the experience as one that has influenced his life and faith in ways he did not expect.
Bourguet, who said he is spiritual even though he is not a member of the sponsoring faith, spoke openly about football and BYU bringing him closer to Christ. He also pointed to the people around him, thanking teammates and coaches for creating an environment built around a shared desire to be disciples of Christ through football. For BYU, it is the kind of reminder that the programs pull often reaches well beyond the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]