Kevin Young is preparing for an NBA playoff run.
Or at least that’s what it feels like inside BYU’s coaching offices as Young added players midseason with an eye on the NCAA Tournament.
His latest addition was a former G League player, Abdullah Ahmed, who played in the New York Knicks organization.
BYU center Abdullah Ahmed shoots a free throw against Eastern Washington during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
“I get what I’m doing now is not the NBA, let me be clear,” Young said. “However, if you are making comparisons, it’s no different than bringing a guy in at the trade deadline and you are trying to prep for a playoff run.”
Some prominent college coaches, including Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Arkansas’ John Calipari, have criticized rules that allow G League players to come to college and permit midseason roster acquisitions.
Baylor just signed a player drafted into the NBA in 2023 — although he did not play in an NBA game.
“I have so much respect for how long these coaches have been able to do it. A lot of these guys I grew up watching. I don’t blame them for raising an eyebrow to the way things are going. It’s so different,” Young said.
But Young has a different take than Izzo on the direction of college basketball.
One of Izzo’s main concerns is that high school prospects and young college players will be pushed out in favor of former pros.
Young acknowledged that will happen, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
“I think we are going back to younger players having to pay their dues. I do understand it impacts some high school players and young guys. But at the same time, I think it could really help if we reimagine what it looks like for a young player,” Young said.
“I was in the G League for nine years and sometimes you get a kid from a power conference team and they aren’t ready to help us win and they have a long road ahead of them,” he continued. “Some of those guys flamed out and their lives look a lot different than if they stayed in school and gotten more ready to play in the NBA.”
Young added that starting as a freshman shouldn’t be valued as highly as being ready for the NBA.
“It is going to hurt those players who want guaranteed starting roles at power conferences. You are going to want the older guys,” Young said. “But if those players take that as an opportunity, and by the way, they are going to be making pretty good compensation, put their time in, you have a much better chance to get that second contract. If you want to talk about life changing, [the second contract] is life changing for a kid. A lot more than starting as a freshman at a blueblood like school.”
BYU’s starting lineup heading into the Big 12 will feature just one freshman — potential top draft pick AJ Dybantsa.
Onto the playoffs — or the tournament — the Cougars go.