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PROVO — BYU basketball coach Dave Rose announced today that guard Skyler Halford has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Cougars in 2013-14.
"We're happy to announce that Skyler will be joining our program," BYU head coach Dave Rose said. "He's coming off a superior sophomore season in which he was named an All-American and led his team to conference and region titles. We're excited for the versatility he brings to our guard line. He's a great scorer and shooter and also has the ability to run a team. He's a fantastic teammate and someone who's been a proven winner at every level. We feel that his abilities as a basketball player and his attitude will be a perfect fit with our returning group of guys."
Sophomore Season (2012-13)
- Named an NJCAA All-America First Team honoree
- Region 18 MVP and Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year
- Led SLCC to a record of 29-5 overall and 14-1 in the SWAC
- Led SLCC to the SWAC and Region 18 titles and to the round of 16 in the NJCAA Tournament
- Averaged 17.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals
- Shot .461 from the field, .393 from three and .908 from the free throw line
- Averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals
- Shot .452 from the field, .450 from three and .819 from the free throw line
- Earned second-team all-region honors
- Led SLCC to a record of 22-9 overall and 9-6 in the SWAC
Halford recently completed his sophomore season at Salt Lake Community College where he earned NJCAA All-America First Team honors and was named the Region 18 MVP and Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He led SLCC to a record of 29-5 overall, the SWAC and the Region 18 titles and to the round of 16 in the NJCAA Tournament. The Orem, Utah, native averaged 17.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting .461 from the field, .393 from three and .908 from the free throw line. Halford posted season highs of 27 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four steals in 2012-13.
As a freshman at SLCC in 2011-12, Halford earned second-team all-region honors while leading the team in scoring at 10.6 points per game. He added 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game and shot .452 from the field, .450 from three and .819 from the free throw line. Halford led the Bruins to a 22-9 record and a second-place finish in the SWAC at 9-6.
Halford prepped at Timpanogos High School where he earned second-team and third-team all-state honors from the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News as a senior in 2008. That season he was the second-leading scorer in 5A at 23.6 points per game. He also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists while leading the Timberwolves to the state tournament for the first time in five years. Halford averaged 19.8 points as a junior and 13.2 points as a sophomore.
After graduating from Timpanogos, Halford redshirted for one season at Utah State before serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil. Following him mission, Halford enrolled at SLCC. Halford is the son of Rod and Jill Halford and has four siblings.
Halford is now part of BYU's 2013 recruiting class that includes high school graduates Nick Emery, Jakob Hartsock, Eric Mika, Braiden Shaw and Luke Worthington. Mika and Worthington will join Halford and play for the Cougars in 2013-14. Emery, Hartsock and Shaw will serve two-year church missions before enrolling.
The Spring Signing Period continues until May 15.
