Coach Kevin Young is finalizing a deal for "Chinese Wemby" Xu Xin, a towering CBA veteran poised to provide elite rim protection and interior size in Provo.
BYU basketball's search for a starting center appears to be hitting the final stretch.
During a press conference this week, head coach Kevin Young hinted the program was courting a big man and was going through the process of getting him added to the roster.
”There are a lot of logistical things that have to get ironed out on some of these guys, given their academic situations and where they played and stuff like that,“ Young said. ”So we’ve been locked in with one guy in particular. I can’t really say too much about it."
Young also said there was misinformation being floating around about who might be coming to Provo.
“There’s been some misreporting on who we’re actually involved with, and who we’re not, and stuff like that," Young added. "I feel good about where we’re at in the process, and we feel like we’ve identified the type of player that we want to pair with this group in general.”
We now know who BYU is targeting for next year.
Xu Xin, who stands at 7-foot-5 and is often referred to as "Chinese Wemby," is reportedly working with Young and his staff to get cleared. At 22, the CBA veteran averages 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game.
The Cougars would make a splash with Xu coming to America. With Young's NBA-style coaching, having a player of his size able to be a true rim protector would be an outstanding addition. He would have an eight-inch height advantage over Keba Keita, who helped BYU's efforts over the past two seasons.
Xu wouldn't be the tallest player in BYU history as he's an inch shorter than Shawn Bradley. However, he's built with a similar frame and athleticism in the post. One of the biggest advantages to his game is obviously his size.
Unlike San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, who is the same height as Xu, he's not a natural shooter and isn't going to pull up from beyond the arc. However, he's a bigger version of former NBA journeyman Kevin Willis and able to patrol the line. Just don't expect him to easily close the gap while defending on a mid-range shooter, as he's not overly mobile outside the paint.
BYU officials wait for Xu to be cleared and make an announcement. He would fill the Cougars' biggest need and take a load off Young's shoulders in the midst of the offseason.
