BYU power forward Kanon Catchings ended his freshman season of college basketball with a demoralizing blowout loss to Alabama in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. Purdue fans did not wait for the body to cool before they jumped all over him with a plea to transfer.
They really want him to play for the Boilermakers.
Catchings, a former four-star prospect in the college basketball recruiting Class of 2024, forwent his senior year of high school to play for Overtime Elite as a non-professional player. He was committed to play for Purdue at the time. The Indiana-native chose to stay home during his sophomore year of high school over offers from Butler, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State and Cincinnati. He later signed with the program in November.
However, Catchings requested a release from his National Letter of Intent and reopened his recruitment in June. The 6-foot-9, 190-pound power forward enrolled at BYU shortly thereafter in order to take part in summer practices after considering Florida State and N.C. State.
Although it was a big get for the Cougars, Catchings only played 17.5 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season. He averaged 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds, mostly off of the bench.
The nephew of WNBA Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings scored two points with one rebound in just five minutes during a 113-88 loss to the Crimson Tide at March Madness. BYU immediately fell behind and never recovered. Kanon Catchings concluded his freshman season in the Sweet 16.
“What will you remember most about your first year of college basketball?”
— Sam Foster (@Samfos1er) March 28, 2025
Kanon Catchings: “Just that, it was my first year of college basketball really.” pic.twitter.com/o1FgTea4fu
There was actually a Purdue fan in attendance at the game even though the Boilermakers are playing in Indianapolis, not Newark. Nevertheless, the aforementioned fan just so happened to sit right near the players’ tunnel. He chirped at Kanon Catchings on his way back to the locker room and pleaded with the freshman to consider a transfer to the program that once received his signature. Catchings cracked a wry smile.
BREAKING NEWS:
— Greg (@boilergreg69) March 28, 2025
Kanon Catchings expected to transfer to Purdue. He was seen smiling after a fan (not me) yelled at him exclaiming he should reconsider his decommitment to the West Lafayette program last summer. pic.twitter.com/vv9d8BejV5
What does it mean? Probably nothing. Kanon Catchings reacted to a funny quip. That’s it.
Even if his freshman year did not go according to plan, No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa is on the way. The future of college basketball in Provo is very bright. Catchings wants to be a part of the future.
Unless……………………