Rob Wright III, BYU’s rising junior point guard and lone returning starter, just threw down an eye-popping 101 points in a Powder League pro-am game this past week, sending shockwaves through college basketball and going viral online. This isn’t just some summer scrimmage noise, folks; Wright’s insane performance, where he shot a ridiculous 32 of 55 from the field and drained 14 three-pointers, broke the Powder League’s single-game scoring record. Amid an eventful offseason for BYU that saw notable transfers, a search for a starting center, and both AJ Dybantsa and Richie Saunders getting scooped up in the NBA draft, Wright’s explosion serves as a timely reminder that the most crucial move BYU made was recruiting him out of the transfer portal to return to Provo.
Wright Takes the Baton in Provo
With Dybantsa and Saunders no longer rocking the court beside him, Wright is now undeniably the captain of BYU’s ship, the face of the program. He’s tasked with leading a roster that will feature nearly a dozen new faces while also pushing his own game to the next level. CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein didn’t mince words on the “Inside College Basketball Now” podcast, calling Wright a “rocket ship” for the upcoming season. Rothstein isn’t just throwing out compliments, either; he’s lobbying for Wright to be named Preseason Player of the Year in the Big 12 and make the Preseason All-America team. Last season, Wright was statistically sensational even playing off Dybantsa and Saunders, finishing fifth in the conference with 632 total points at an average of 18.1 per game. He also shot a scorching 41% from three-point range and dished out 4.6 assists per game, logging 13 games with 20+ points and 15 others with five or more assists. Now, he’s older, more seasoned, and grizzled.
Primed for a Bigger Role
This isn’t just about Wright’s individual stats, though those are fire. BYU’s deeper roster, which looks more like the Cougars’ 2025 Sweet 16 squad than last season’s “Brig 3,” should mean an improved cast of shooters around Wright. This could allow his assist numbers to skyrocket, and potentially mean fewer double-teams and less defensive attention. With more space to operate and more options around him, BYU coach Kevin Young’s frequent assessment that Wright can be “the best point guard in college basketball” doesn’t sound so far-fetched. Wright has already proven he can attack the paint at will and shoot from deep at a near-elite clip. He’s matured, he’s primed for a bigger role, and with Collin Chandler and Bruce Branch on the wings, BYU should once again be an NCAA Tournament team for the third straight year under Kevin Young. Get ready, college hoops fans, this kid is coming for it all.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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