Kevin Young keeps reaching beyond the usual recruiting lanes, and BYU’s latest addition fits that trend.
Lithuanian wing Dovydas Buika has signed with the Cougars, the program announced Wednesday. The 6-foot-6, 19-year-old arrives after playing 21 games for Jonava Hipocredit this past season, where he averaged 3.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists and posted a single-game high of 14 points.
“We’re super excited to welcome Dovydas to the BYU family,” Young said in a statement. “He brings a lot of versatility to our back court with the ability to play multiple positions. He has played for a great club in his home country of Lithuania and has learned how to play the game the right way because of it.
“He’s got great positional size and a competitive edge to him that will fit in well with our group. We look forward to getting him on campus and getting to work.”
Buika came into the cycle with plenty of attention. Rivals rated him a four-star prospect, and he picked BYU over Illinois, Arizona and other programs.
His résumé stretches well beyond his club season. Buika has also spent time with Žalgiris Kaunas and represented Lithuania in several international events, including last summer’s FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament, where he averaged 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
BYU associate head coach Tim Fanning said the staff has been following Buika for years.
“We have been tracking Dovydas him for a few years and coming from Žalgiris, there are few clubs in Europe when a guy comes out of that system you know they are ready for high-level basketball and Žalgiris are one of those places,” Fanning said in a statement.
“He was a team captain of some very successful teams there. We love his versatility.
He can play multiple guard spots. Character wise, he’s a great fit at BYU.”
Buika’s signing leaves BYU with three roster spots still open, and Young has said he plans to fill all of them. One of the biggest priorities remains finding a starting-caliber big man, with the Cougars recently connected to several frontcourt targets.
As the roster stands now, BYU’s returning starters include guard Rob Wright III. Other returning players are guards Dawson Baker and Nate Pickens, along with forwards Khadim Mboup and Brody Kozlowski.
The transfer group features guard Collin Chandler from Kentucky, forward Tyler Betsey from Syracuse, forward Jake Wahlin from Clemson and center Adam Stewart from TCU.
Buika joins the international additions, while the incoming freshman class includes wing Bruce Branch III and guards Dean Rueckert and Brooks Bahr.
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