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BYU Basketball Earns Recognition as Academic Honors Announced

Six Cougars land on the Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team, proving excellence off the court after an historic run to the Sweet 16.

• Steven Corder

• May 16, 2025 2:46 PM EDT

BYU basketball’s season wasn’t just a win on the court. It was a triumph in the classroom. Months after reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time in more than a decade, six Cougars were named to the 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team, tying for the third-most honorees among Big 12 men’s basketball programs.

In an era where athletic success often overshadows academic achievement, BYU is showing it’s possible to excel in both.

Veterans Richie Saunders, Trevin Knell, Trey Stewart, Fousseyni Traore and Dallin Hall each received the honor for a second consecutive year, while Dawson Baker joined the list for the first time.

Each honoree maintained a GPA of 3.20 or higher — either cumulatively or over the last two semesters — and competed in at least 20% of BYU’s games this season.

Their recognition comes on the heels of a memorable 26-10 campaign under first-year coach Kevin Young, who guided BYU to a No. 13 finish in the AP Poll.

The Cougars posted ranked wins over Kansas, Arizona and Iowa State, and their Sweet 16 run was the program’s first since 2011.

Richie Saunders was a sparkplug all season, bringing energy and effort in every matchup.

Off the court, he matched that energy with academic consistency.

Knell, known for his sharp shooting, balanced a veteran leadership role while maintaining his academic standing.

Meanwhile, Hall quarterbacked the offense with poise and precision — traits that clearly carried over to his academic life.

The Big 12 nod validates a program on the rise — not just for its tournament success, but for its culture of development and discipline.

With coach Young building a winning culture that prioritizes character, the Cougars are quickly becoming a model for what college athletics should look like.