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PROVO — When Dave Rose looked around the locker room after BYU’s 72-70 loss to Valparaiso in the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament, his eyes were immediately drawn to seniors Kyle Collinsworth, Chase Fischer and Nate Austin.
A lot of losses are bitter. But this one was more difficult for him as the final game for a trio that has given so much to the Cougars’ men’s basketball program.
“I can’t thank Chase and Kyle and Nate enough,” Rose told KSL’s Greg Wrubell after the game. “They work so hard, and they are dedicated to our team and committed to helping us be successful. These guys understand the expectations and the ability to constantly put a team out there that competes and plays hard and wins.
“It’s all based on how hard these kids work.”
The road to BYU was long for Fischer, a Wake Forest transfer from Ripley, West Virginia, who considered schools such as Valpo before following former Demon Deacons assistant Mark Pope to Provo. But the senior captain leaves BYU as one of the top 3-point shooters in program history, with a long ball that saved BYU on more than one occasion.
For Collinsworth, the accolades are even more prominent. The NCAA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles departs BYU as the program’s top assist man and rebounder. His versatility was valued, but occasionally taken for granted during a career at BYU that really began before he set foot on campus, when he committed shortly after his junior year at Provo High before serving a two-year mission for the LDS Church in Russia.
Austin’s road to the final game of his senior season was similar. BYU’s all-time leader in games played and fouls should’ve celebrated senior night a year ago — until a hamstring tear suffered against Utah in 2014 ended his season early and led to a medical redshirt.
That left time for one final run — a run he celebrated with his fellow seniors with a run to the NIT Final Four, the Cougars’ second since 2013.
“When our seniors think back wherever they are to their senior year at BYU and this team, they’re going to have good memories of what we were able to do,” Rose said. “We left some things on the table, but all-in-all, I think these guys will be proud of each other.”
Fischer and Collinsworth started every game they were healthy in 2015-16, with Collinsworth’s first appearance on the bench since 2011 coming in the NIT quarterfinals against Creighton — when he could barely run while suffering from the flu.
The impression left on the underclassmen in such circumstances was undeniable.
“I love those guys. Those are my guys, and I can’t imagine playing without them,” said forward Corbin Kaufusi, who likewise may face an offseason decision about his hoops future with father Steve and the BYU football team calling. “Kyle and Chase are like my two older brothers and best friends, and they’ve been there every step of the way.
“The biggest thing for me was that I grew such a relationship with these guys. I remember hugging Kyle, Chase and Nate and knowing I would see them again. Our relationship is not just on the court.”
Departing players
| Player | Pos | Height | Leaving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Collinsworth | PG | 6-6 | graduation |
| Chase Fischer | SG | 6-3 | graduation |
| Nate Austin | PF | 6-11 | graduation |
| Zac Seljaas | G | 6-7 | LDS mission |
Newcomers
| Name | Pos. | Height | Last location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Mika | C | 6-10 | LDS mission |
| T.J. Haws | G | 6-4 | LDS mission |
| Payton Dastrup | F | 6-10 | LDS mission |
| Steven Beo | G | 6-5 | Richland High (Washington) |
| Yoeli Childs | F | 6-7 | Bingham High (South Jordan) |
Returning players
| Name | Pos | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Davis | F | Junior |
| Nick Emery | G | Freshman |
| Jakob Hartsock | G/F | Freshman |
| Braiden Shaw | G/F | Freshman |
| Corbin Kaufusi | F/C | Sophomore |
| Jordan Chatman | G | Freshman |
| Jamal Aytes | F | Sophomore |
| Davin Guinn | G | Freshman |
| Alan Hamson | C | Freshman (redshirt) |
| Elijah Bryant | G | Sophomore (redshirt) |
BYU now turns to the future, which also sees the departure of freshman sharpshooter Zac Seljaas on a mission to Iowa. The Cougars’ heralded class of 2016-17 boasts a lot of potential in returning missionaries T.J. Haws, Eric Mika and Payton Dastrup, as well as freshmen Yoeli Childs from Bingham High and Steven Beo from Richland (Washington) High.
The Cougars also gain the eligibility of Elon transfer Elijah Bryant, the Colonial Athletic Association rookie of the year who led the league’s first-year players in scoring with 14.2 points per game before transferring.
Haws returned from a mission to France just before BYU tipped against Valpo in New York City, and he was on campus this week, becoming the first of the returned missionary class to get settled in Provo.
“We’re all excited to have T.J. back in the states,” Rose said. “He won four high school state champions; I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a kid who has won like that.
“Hopefully he’ll come in and win some championships for us.”
Even while acknowledging the past, the Cougars maintain hope in the future.
“I think we have a bright future,” Kaufusi said. “We have a lot of young guys on the team, and guys who contributed this year. I think we have a lot to look forward to.”
