BYU ahead Lauren Gustin grabs the ball throughout motion in opposition to Gonzaga within the WCC event championship sport on the Orleans Enviornment in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
BYU ahead Lauren Gustin seems to be to shoot in opposition to Rice throughout a NIT sport on the Marriott Middle in Provo on Friday, March 17, 2023. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
Lauren Gustin entered the switch portal, took an excellent go searching, and determined that BYU and the Huge 12 was the most effective place to play her ultimate 12 months of school basketball.
Gustin, the nation’s main rebounder, introduced Friday that she was returning to steer the Cougars into their new convention. The transfer bolsters second-year head coach Amber Whiting’s roster, which already boasts the very best rated group of newcomers in program historical past.
The choice additionally solidifies Gustin’s place among the many all-time greats at BYU. She broke two-time All-American Tina Gunn’s 43-year single-season rebounding report final season and has an opportunity to unseat her total rebounding report earlier than she is thru.
As well as, Gustin carried the Cougars by way of Whiting’s debut season with a 16-point scoring common to go together with 16.7 rebounds. Twice she scored 30 factors and 10 instances, Gustin had 20 or extra rebounds. Throughout the WCC event sport in opposition to San Francisco, on an evening when she was simply 2 of 14 from the sphere, Gustin grabbed a career-best 27 rebounds to steer BYU to victory.
Gustin additionally led the Cougars’ protection, incomes co-Defensive Participant of the Yr within the WCC.
Her time within the portal lasted simply 5 days and there was no scarcity of curiosity, together with domestically. On the similar time, it introduced misery to Whiting, who was planning on Gustin anchoring BYU’s first 12 months within the Huge 12.
Gustin confirmed Sunday that she was getting into the portal, however added, “It doesn’t imply I’m essentially leaving. Simply exploring some choices.”
Whiting appeared on “BYU Sports activities Nation” on Tuesday, refusing to concede.
“I hope she remembers what we're constructing right here, and he or she remembers the relationships that now we have and that she remembers how a lot she means to us right here,” Whiting mentioned. “I really need her again. I would like her with us.”
In the long run, each participant and coach bought what they wished. Gustin, a grad pupil, wished to go searching — and he or she did (whereas additionally strengthening her NIL worth). Whiting wished her greatest total participant again — and he or she is getting her want.
The concept of taking part in within the Huge 12 has been on Gustin’s thoughts for the reason that preliminary announcement on Sept. 9, 2021, however it actually picked up steam after former teammate Shaylee Gonzales transferred to Texas after BYU’s 2021-22 season.
“I’m excited for it. The concept of taking part in in opposition to Shaylee will get me extra motivated within the offseason,” Gustin mentioned on the “Y’s Guys” on Jan. 31. “She’s killing it over there. I’m comfortable for her, however I’m excited to have her again right here and hopefully put up an excellent problem in opposition to them.”
Gustin’s presence is essential for BYU’s transfer to the Huge 12. She's going to present bodily presence down low whereas the staff breaks in its recruiting haul of younger playmakers — one thing the Cougars lacked throughout final 12 months’s 16-17 season.
Along with All-WCC first-team returner Nani Falatea, BYU’s assault will embody a pair of four-star freshman signees — Amari Whiting and Jannah Isai. They may even have, amongst others, freshman Kailey Woolston, the Deseret Information’ 6A Participant of the Yr, who averaged 19.7 factors at Lone Peak Excessive.
With all the newness, Gustin would be the wanted glue to carry all of it collectively and he or she instantly moved to the highest of the checklist of Whiting’s most prized recruits. The 6-foot-1 Salem Hills Excessive star was already right here when Whiting took over for legendary coach Jeff Judkins, however she and her employees needed to rerecruit her, and shortly, to ensure Gustin would keep right here for yet one more 12 months.
Mission achieved.
BYU ahead Lauren Gustin seems to be to shoot in opposition to Rice throughout a NIT sport on the Marriott Middle in Provo on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information