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PROVO — BYU added another shooting guard to the Class of 2016 when Atlanta-area scorer Colby Leifson announced Tuesday his plan to defer a two-year church mission in favor for a season with the Cougars first.
"After praying and discussing my options with my family, coaches and church leaders, I am thrilled to announce that I have committed to play at BYU on a full scholarship starting in 2016," Leifson posted on his Twitter account. "Thank you to coach Rose and his incredible staff for giving me this opportunity."
#RepTheYpic.twitter.com/tfDB6ShTy9
— Colby Leifson (@Colb_as_ice) August 3, 2016
“I know BYU has a chance to do something special this year,” Leifson said in a statement. “I’m excited to be a part of it. After sitting down with the coaches this week, it was a no brainer to make the decision to come to BYU. It felt like home.”
Leifson chose BYU over offers from High Point, Wofford and Gardner-Webb, among others. After his freshman season, the two-star shooting guard plans to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In the interim, though, he joins a highly touted class of freshmen and newcomers including former Bingham High standout post Yoeli Childs, Idaho prep star Connor Harding and returned missionaries TJ Haws, Eric Mika and Payton Dastrup.
Leifson will join Haws, Harding and redshirt sophomore Elijah Bryant at the two-guard spot. Bryant, who transferred to BYU after playing one season at Elon University, sat out the 2014-15 season.
“We’re excited to add Colby to our team,” Rose said in a statement from the school. “His skills will compliment the talents of the rest of our team. He has a great attitude and work ethic and we believe he will really help us this season.”
Leifson averaged 16.8 points and 2.0 assists per game for North Gwinnett High School in 2015-16, ranking sixth in the Atlanta area in high school hoops. The 6-foot-4 shooter with deep range was the No. 6 scorer in the Gwinnett area, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Here are highlights of his senior season.
