Notable BYU Basketball Alumni: A Legacy of Success

Brigham Young University (BYU), owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), has a rich history of producing successful individuals across various fields. This article explores some of the most notable BYU basketball alumni who have made significant contributions to the sport and beyond. BYU has produced a number of alumni who have found success in professional sports, representing the university in 7 MLB World Series, 5 NBA Finals, and 25 NFL Super Bowls.

Basketball Standouts

Kresimir Cosic

Krešimir Ćosić played five years of pro basketball in Croatia before enrolling at BYU and then continued playing overseas for 10 seasons after. Playing in Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia, he won six Yugoslav League titles, three Yugoslav Cups, two Italian League titles, and the 1982 FIBA Saporta Cup and was named to six FIBA All-Star teams. His greatest achievements likely came as a member of the Yugoslav National team, whom he led to 1980 Olympic gold and two Olympic silver medals. He also led them to seven EuroBasket medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze), four FIBA World Cup medals (2 gold, 2 silver), and two Mediterranean Games gold medals while winning MVP of EuroBasket in 1971 and 1975. After his career, he was named to the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors and FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players and was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007.

Danny Ainge

Ainge began his NBA career with Boston, where he won championships in 1984 and 1986 while appearing in the Finals in 1985 and 1987, even being selected an All-Star in 1988. The man who was a professional everything, who regularly fought with guys like Michael Jordan and Isaiah Thomas, and who played baseball in Canada. Ainge collected more draft picks that ultimately turned out to be nobody noteworthy. He was fired by Boston and then hired by the Jazz.

Jimmer Fredette

Despite a disappointing NBA career, Jimmer has still had an impressive career in the D-League and China. He was the MVP of the 2016 D-League All-Star Game and was named to the All-D-League Second Team playing for Westchester. Jimmer Fredette is likely BYU’s most famous basketball player in the twenty-first century, despite not having had success at the NBA level.

Devin Durrant

Other famous BYU basketball alumni include Devin Durrant. Durrant is a 6’7” white man from Utah who played for BYU including a season where he averaged 28 points per game.

Toolson

Despite an unsuccessful short NBA career, Toolson carved out a nice career overseas playing in Italy, Spain, and Greece.

AJ Dybantsa

BYU is about to become a March Madness powerhouse. The NIL era of college sports has seen basketball programs rise and fall as competition to land the best players becomes who can offer the most money. While schools do not directly pay players, donors to the school can form a collective or “booster” program that will pay players to come play for them. BYU’s basketball team has been the beneficiary of a major NIL collective called The Royal Blue. Ryan Smith, a young tech billionaire, avid sports fan and owner of both the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth has been the largest donor to the BYU NIL collective. BYU has cash to spend, so expect them to be a major player in March Madness for years to come.

That changed when they managed to secure the signature of AJ Dybantsa ahead of the likes of the University of North Carolina (UNC), Kansas and Alabama. Dybantsa is the first consensus number one recruit to choose BYU, as well as he is the eighth player to ever receive a perfect prospect rating on 24/7 Sports. Dybantsa’s perfect score has him joining the likes of Cooper Flagg, Chet Holmgren, RJ Barrett and Andrew Wiggins as recent prospects to receive a perfect score. Dybantsa is a truly elite prospect, the likes of which BYU never could have landed prior to NIL.

Dybantsa will tell you that it is coach Kevin Young’s NBA experience (only as an assistant coach) that convinced him to choose BYU. Something tells me it may have been the $7 million BYU offered for one season. That seems like a more convincing pitch than the NBA experience of a guy who has never been an NBA head coach.

Other Notable BYU Athletes

Steve Young

After starting his career in the USFL and Tampa Bay, Steve Young found a home in San Francisco, becoming one of the top quarterbacks of all-time. He led the NFL in passing touchdowns four times and was named to seven Pro Bowl rosters and six All-Pro teams (3 1st, 3 2nd). A two-time NFC Offensive Player of the Year and 1992 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Young was named NFL MVP in 1992 and 1994 and MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, winning three Super Bowl titles. After cementing his legacy as the best pro athlete from a Utah school, his No. Keep repping the Y on ESPN, Steve. The rest of the sports world wants to pretend that BYU isn't great. But BYU is great. And you are great. And you keep reminding everyone that BYU is great. Also Steve is a lawyer. And he owns of a bunch of other businesses. And he had like 8442 concussions and still doesn't show signs of CTE. He's beating CTE the same way he beat Troy Aikman and Brett Favre all the time. We are Forever Young at BYU. (Also the name of his really successful non-profit.)

Read also: Legacy of Kansas Basketball

Rick Aguilera

As a pitcher for 16 years, Aguilera was one of the top closers in the game, retiring as the Twins all-time saves leader (now 2nd). He was named to three AL All-Star teams from 1991-93 and helped Minnesota win the 1991 World Series.

Wally Joyner

Joyner burst on the scene as a rookie in 1986, being voted an AL All-Star while being named the co-winner of the Home Run Derby while helping the Angels win the AL West.

Jack Morris

In an 18-year career, Morris was named an AL All-Star five times, leading the AL in strikeouts in 1983 and MLB in wins twice. With 254 career wins and a no-hitter to his name, he also won four World Series titles (two with the Twins, two with Toronto), winning MVP of the 1991 Fall Classic. The winningest pitcher of the 1980’s, he was named a Hall of Fame inductee for 2018 and the Tigers will retire his No. 47 jersey in August.

Jim McMahon

Suiting up for seven teams during a 15-year NFL career, McMahon’s best seasons came as a member of the Bears. In seven seasons, he led the team to five straight NFC Central titles and a victory in Super Bowl XX, being named to the Pro Bowl that same season and was named UPI Second Team All-NFC and also won the 1982 UPI NFC Rookie of the Year.

Chad Lewis

One of the top tight ends during his prime, Lewis was named too three straight Pro Bowls from 2000-02 and being named to the 2000 All-Pro Team while helping the Eagles win four NFC East titles and appear in Super Bowl XXXIX. Earlier in his career in St.

Vai Sikahema

Oates began his career in the United States Football League, winning back-to-back titles in 1984-85 before moving to the NFL, playing for the Giants and 49ers. During an 11-year NFL run, he was named to five Pro Bowls and was a three-time UPI All-NFC pick while winning Super Bowls XXI and XXV with New York and Super Bowl XXIX with San Francisco.

Golden Richards

After short stints with the Cowboys and Giants, Christensen found a home with the Raiders, where he played 10 seasons. As a tight end, he led the NFL in receptions twice and was selected to five straight Pro Bowls from 1983-87 along with being named to the All-Pro team four times.

Ben Cahoon

One of the greatest receivers in CFL history, Cahoon was named to 10 CFL East All-Star teams and was a three-time CFL All-Star selection and is the CFL record holder for career receptions. Playing with Montreal his entire career, he was named a two-time CFL Most Outstanding Canadian and was a two-time Grey Cup Most Outstanding Canadian while winning three Grey Cup titles. Following his illustrious career, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and his No.

Mike Weir

One of the world’s best golfers during his prime, Miller finished in the Top-10 of 16 PGA Tour events, which included three runner-up finishes at The Masters. Open and 1976 Open Championship. Ryder Cup-winning teams. Following a long career, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1998.

Star Lotulelei

There have been many successful athletes that have come through the Beehive State that have turned into decorated professionals. Zach Wilson Makes History As Jets Take Him With No. 20. During a 10-year MLB career, Iorg is probably best known for his game-winning hit in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, which forced a seventh game that the Royals won, winning their first championship.

Hatch

During her rookie campaign in the NWSL, Hatch tied the league’s rookie goals record (7) and took home the NWSL Rookie of the Year Award while helping the Courage to the NWSL Shield and a championship game appearance. During the offseason, she traveled to Australia, helping Melbourne City win the W-League title.

Eakins

Playing 10 seasons in the ABA and NBA, Eakins was named an ABA All-Star in 1974 with the Virginia Squires.

Law

During a 12-year pro career (11 in MLB), Law helped lead the Cubs to an NL East title in 1989 while being named an NL All-Star in 1988.

Hutchins

One of a few former Cougars to make a mark on the NBA, Hutchins starred for seven seasons, with the best years of his career coming in Fort Wayne. After leading the NBA in rebounding in 1952 and being named an All-Star in 1953 with Milwaukee, he was traded to the Pistons.

Fairbanks

During a decorated 17-year in the CFL, Fairbanks was named a CFL East Division All-Star three times, a West All-Star four times, and a CFL All-Star twice. During the 1982 season he was named the recipient of the Demarco-Becket Memorial Trophy as the top lineman in the West Division.

BYU Alumni Beyond Athletics

BYU's influence extends far beyond the realm of sports. Alumni have made significant contributions in various fields, including:

Politics: Alumni have comprised several LDS Church general authorities, including three church presidents (Dallin H. Oaks, Thomas S. Monson, and Ezra Taft Benson), five apostles (Neil L. Andersen, D. Todd Christofferson, David A. Bednar, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Reed Smoot), and two general presidents of the Relief Society (Julie B. Beck and Belle S. Spafford).
Business: BYU alumni in academia include former dean of the Harvard Business School Kim B. Clark, a vice president of Yale, Scott Strobel, and Michael K. Young, president of Texas A&M University and former president of the University of Washington.
Arts and Entertainment: In entertainment and television, BYU is represented by Jon Heder (best known for his role as Napoleon Dynamite), Golden Globe-nominated Aaron Eckhart, and Jeopardy! all-time champion Ken Jennings.
Literature and Journalism: In literature and journalism, BYU has produced several best-selling authors, including Orson Scott Card, Brandon Sanderson, and Stephenie Meyer.

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