BYU center Xavion Staton enters transfer portal

Highly touted recruit leaves program after limited freshman season

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:58am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player's movements and positioning on the court, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in navy blue, crimson red, and bright white.The departure of a key frontcourt piece leaves BYU with a glaring hole to fill as the offseason transfer portal opens up.Salt Lake City Today

BYU Cougars center Xavion Staton, a highly-rated recruit who saw limited action as a freshman due to injuries, has announced he will enter the NCAA transfer portal. Staton expressed gratitude for his time at BYU but is looking to take the next step in his career elsewhere.

Why it matters

Staton's departure leaves BYU with a major hole in the frontcourt, as the team's only remaining big man is Abdullah Ahmed. The Cougars will need to prioritize finding a replacement for Staton through the transfer portal this offseason.

The details

Staton, a Las Vegas native, was the highest-rated recruit in BYU history when he committed to the program. However, injuries limited him to just nine games this past season, where he averaged 0.6 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks. With Keba Keita's graduation and Staton's transfer, the Cougars have a major need at the center position heading into the offseason.

  • Staton announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Monday night, just minutes after the conclusion of the national championship game.
  • Staton played in just 9 games for BYU this past season as a freshman.

The players

Xavion Staton

A highly-touted center recruit who was limited by injuries in his freshman season at BYU.

Abdullah Ahmed

The only big man currently remaining on BYU's roster after Staton's departure and Keba Keita's graduation.

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What they’re saying

“I'm incredibly grateful for my time at this University and for everything it has poured into me, on and off the court. This past season has been a year of growth, discipline, and development beyond just basketball. I believe everything happens for a reason, and every step is part of the path I'm meant to walk. I want to sincerely thank my coaches, teammates, and the entire program for pushing me, believing in me, and helping me grow every day.”

— Xavion Staton

“With Keba Keita's graduation and Staton's departure, the only big man currently on BYU's roster is Abdullah Ahmed, making the position a portal priority for Kevin Young and his staff this offseason.”

— Travis Branham, 247 Sports Reporter

What’s next

BYU will need to be active in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason to find a replacement for the departed Xavion Staton at the center position.

The takeaway

Staton's transfer is a significant loss for BYU, as the highly-touted recruit was expected to be a key piece of the Cougars' frontcourt. The team will now have to work quickly to find a suitable replacement through the transfer portal in order to fill this critical need on the roster.