BYU Sophomore Point Guard Robert Wright III Staying Put

Highly touted transfer target decides to remain with the Cougars for another season.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college basketball game, with fragmented, overlapping shapes in the team's colors representing the fast-paced action on the court.BYU's star point guard Robert Wright III will return for his junior season, providing stability and leadership for the Cougars amid a wave of roster turnover.Provo Today

Despite the departure of several key players, BYU's standout sophomore point guard Robert Wright III has decided to remain with the Cougars for the upcoming season. Wright, an All-Big 12 third-team selection last year, led the team in assists and steals while finishing second in scoring.

Why it matters

Wright's decision to stay at BYU is a major boost for the Cougars, who are losing several of their top players to the NBA and transfer portal. His return should help BYU remain competitive in the Big 12 conference and make another run at the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Robert Wright III, a 6'2" point guard, averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game last season as a sophomore. He shot 46.7% from the field and 41% from 3-point range, earning third-team All-Big 12 honors. Wright originally played his freshman year at Baylor before transferring to BYU, where he has blossomed into one of the top young point guards in college basketball.

  • Wright averaged 11.5 points, 4.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game at Baylor in the 2024-25 season.
  • Last season, Wright led BYU in assists (4.6) and steals (1.2) per game while finishing second on the team in scoring (18.1 ppg).

The players

Robert Wright III

A 6'2" sophomore point guard who has emerged as one of the top young players in the Big 12 conference.

AJ Dybantsa

An All-American forward for BYU who led the nation in scoring as a freshman at 25.5 points per game and is projected as a potential top NBA draft pick.

Richie Saunders

An All-Big 12 guard for BYU who sustained a season-ending torn ACL injury in mid-February, completing his fourth and final season with the Cougars.

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What’s next

With Wright's return, BYU will look to build on its 23-12 record from last season and make another push for the NCAA Tournament, despite the losses of Dybantsa and Saunders.

The takeaway

Robert Wright III's decision to remain at BYU is a significant win for the Cougars, who are facing an offseason of significant roster turnover. His leadership and playmaking abilities will be crucial as BYU looks to maintain its status as one of the top mid-major programs in the country.