Kanon Catchings has struggled with consistency during his early outings as a BYU Cougar. After flipping his commitment from Purdue, the four-star recruit arrived with expectations of a clear path to a first-round NBA Draft selection. However, ten games into the season, the athletic wing appears to be further from a finished product than initially anticipated.
Perhaps it’s too early to worry. A ten-game sample size is small, and Catchings isn’t the only player finding it tough to adjust to Coach Young’s system. Inconsistency is typical for freshmen under a first-year head coach. Still, despite his struggles, Kanon has shown flashes of brilliance that make it clear he’s far from a bust.
Kanon’s ball-handling and athleticism are undeniable. With a surprisingly tight handle and elite explosiveness, the Brownsburg, Indiana native demonstrates NBA-level tools in nearly every game. Defensively, his length and lateral quickness allow him to excel as a 3-and-D prospect. Yet, his impressive moments are too often followed by stretches of invisibility on the court.
His jumper’s high release makes it nearly unguardable at the collegiate level, and he looks confident shooting threes off the catch. The form is smooth and repeatable, but his reliability is lacking—shooting below 30% from deep so far. This inconsistency could give NBA scouts pause.
This isn’t a story of squandered potential, though. One of Kanon’s underappreciated strengths is his passing. While it may not always appear on the stat sheet, his ability to keep the offense flowing and make the right reads highlights his basketball IQ—an asset rarely celebrated in today’s game.
Kanon brings plenty to the table that might not catch the eye of casual fans. For BYU, his goal is to validate the “NBA Boot Camp” narrative that Coach Young and his staff have built. That goal will be met if Kanon hears his name called on draft night in 2025. Falling short, however, could be a blow to BYU’s aspirations. Preseason mock drafts had him going late first to early second round—let’s see where he stands now.
Kanon Catchings Mock Draft Projections
Sports Illustrated: 32. Charlotte Hornets
Bleacher Report: 33. Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Draft Room: 42. Sacramento Kings
CBS Sports: Undrafted
NBADraft.net: Undrafted
Expert Quotes
NBADraftRoom.com: “An underrated prospect with the size, length, and ball skills to thrive as an NBA wing. His dunking ability is electrifying.”
Babcock Hoops: “A versatile 6’9” forward with three-level scoring ability, excelling in transition and creating shots off the dribble.”
While some outlets overlook him, others see Catchings as a top-tier prospect. His stock has dipped from a late first-round projection to early second-round, but analysts agree he has the tools to thrive in the NBA.
If Kanon continues to develop and excels in Big 12 play, he could climb back up draft boards and solidify his future as a top NBA prospect.