Charlotte ahead Aly Khalifa (15) tries to get previous Arkansas’ Connor Vanover throughout sport Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. Khalifa will likely be enjoying for the Cougars of their first season within the Massive 12. Michael Woods, Related Press
Arkansas ahead Trey Wade (3) has his shot blocked by Charlotte defender Aly Khalifa (15) throughout sport Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. Subsequent season Khalifa will likely be swatting photographs for the Cougars within the Marriott Middle. Michael Woods, Related Press
So, BYU signed a 6-foot-11 heart from Egypt who's as comfy taking pictures 3s as he's ending on the rim. What does that imply?
That in itself is a giant deal.
If certainly BYU had Aly Khalifa as a prime precedence this recruiting cycle, it's a profitable marketing campaign in a enterprise that has been made harder with NIL offers throughout the land.
Nicely, it represents a few issues, actually.
Head coach Mark Pope’s employees is sizzling and heavy at recruiting the switch portal this spring, and Khalifa, who performed at Charlotte, selected BYU over Florida a number of days in the past.
Khalifa appears to be an incredible addition for the Massive 12-bound Cougars, who performed and not using a true heart this previous season.
What Pope did is put 6-foot-6, 240-pound pure energy ahead Fousseyni Traore within the low block and fed him the ball. A bull of a person with lengthy attain and muscle, Traore turned BYU’s first participant ever to common 61% discipline purpose share in convention video games. He had double-doubles on a regular basis, however the job wore him down.
Traore tried only one 3-pointer final yr. He made it.
Add Khalifa into the combo.
BYU males’s basketball head coach Mark Pope formally introduced the signing of Aly Khalifa on Monday afternoon.
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) April 18, 2023
Khalifa, a 6-foot-11 heart, turns into the primary member of BYU’s 2023 signing class after showing in 65 video games throughout his profession at Charlotte. Throughout his time within the… pic.twitter.com/9Vhvd1InhJ
What it may do is take loads of stress off Traore.
As an example, Khalifa may draw a submit defender to the perimeter as a result of, not like Traore, the Egyptian is a big menace from past the arc to the tune of 38% accuracy on 48 makes. He tried 126.
After all, you desire a heart to play heart, get laborious on the low block, defend the rim, and get rebounds. You need your massive man to attain down low.
However have a look at this luxurious, if Khalifa delivers from outdoors. BYU introduced in two switch portal guys final yr in Noah Waterman and Jaxson Robinson. Each got here in touted as scorers, particularly from distance. Waterman tried 93 and made 30 (.323). Robinson made 61 of 178 for 33%. Khalifa was extra correct from 3-point land enjoying in Convention USA, the place he was as soon as Freshman of the 12 months.
Gideon George tried the same variety of 3s as Khalifa did final yr (39 of 122) however was much less correct at 36%. BYU’s finest outdoors shooter was Spencer Johnson (41 for 89 for 46%). Level guard Rudi Williams was a 31% shooter from 3-point distance and freshman Dallin Corridor transformed at 36% accuracy.
After all, all BYU gamers, together with Khalifa, will face larger defenders within the Massive 12.
However in a phrase, Khalifa is a menace.
A second issue: passing.
Final season Pope’s largest problem was the quantity of turnovers his group made, particularly within the first half of the schedule. It price them possessions, leads, momentum and video games. You might say it was the most important think about ending fifth within the WCC in addition to the shut losses to Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga.
An enormous share of the turnovers got here when BYU tried to cross the ball inside, or when Traore or backup heart Atiki Ally Atiki tried to cross or obtain a cross or make a transfer (mishandled passes, touring infractions, three-second calls). Traore had 73 turnovers and Atiki had 43 for a mixed 116. Should you issue George into the combo (56), that trio accounted for 174 of the group’s 481 turnovers.
Khalifa can cross.
That single trait alone might be a lifeline for Pope and what he’s making an attempt to do.
Khalifa has comfortable palms, imaginative and prescient, timing and the fundamental ability to ship the ball to teammates.
“What stands out essentially the most about Aly is his ability stage for his dimension. Having the ability to use the ball as an actual weapon, not just for himself across the basket, however for others, could be very uncommon at 6-11. He makes everybody else higher,” BYU assistant coach Nick Robinson instructed BYUtv.
Khalifa averaged greater than 11 factors a sport and 6.3 rebounds.
“However to common 2.7 assists at 6-11 in any respect ranges is absolutely distinctive, to not point out his 1.7 to 1.8 turnover to help ratio is absolutely, actually distinctive.”
Robinson envisions Khalifa making performs out of the submit for Johnson, Corridor, Robinson, Richie Saunders, Traore and others.
That one factor alone would push BYU basketball nearer to what it ought to be — that 2020 season the place so many items match collectively so effectively, however COVID-19 reduce postseason hopes quick after 24 wins.
The Khalifa add seems to be a giant one.
And subsequent season towards the likes of Texas, Kansas, Houston and Texas Tech, BYU will want Khalifa and way more.
Arkansas ahead Trey Wade (3) has his shot blocked by Charlotte defender Aly Khalifa (15) throughout sport Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. Subsequent season Khalifa will likely be swatting photographs for the Cougars within the Marriott Middle.
Michael Woods, Related Press