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After losing out to UNLV in a late-summer recruiting battle, BYU has ultimately landed 6-foot-6, 230-pound power forward Jamal Aytes.
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BYU basketball head coach Dave Rose announced on Friday that Aytes will join the Cougar program; Aytes has signed a scholarship agreement with BYU, thus completing his transfer from UNLV.
Aytes will join the Cougar program with the start of the winter semester next month, but barring a waiver would not be eligible to play for BYU until the conclusion of final exams in 2014's fall semester. Without a waiver, his first date of game-eligibility would be Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014.
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Earlier this week, UNLV head coach Dave Rice (Rose's former assistant at BYU) and Aytes jointly announced the transfer decision in a school press release.
"We thank Jamal for his contributions and wish him the best in the future," Rice said, while Aytes noted that "I have enjoyed my time at UNLV, but transferring gives me a better opportunity for playing time sooner in my career."
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Aytes played in four of seven games for UNLV this season, scoring 11 points (5/8 fg) with 3 rebounds, in 37 total minutes of play.
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Here is BYU's Friday press release on the Aytes transfer:
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PROVO, Utah - BYU basketball coach Dave Rose announced today that freshman forward Jamal Aytes will join the team and be eligible to practice when Winter Semester begins on Jan. 6, 2014.
Aytes, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward, is a transfer from UNLV and is a native of San Diego, Calif.
"Jamal will be a great addition to our program," Rose said. "We're excited to have him on our team. He's an excellent low-post scorer and will have a positive impact on our front line."
"I'm looking forward to being a part of BYU basketball," Aytes said. "I feel very comfortable with the coaching staff and I think I'll fit in really well. This is where I want to finish my college career."
Aytes played in four games for UNLV this season. His best game came against UC Santa Barbara when he scored 10 points on 5 of 8 shooting and added two rebounds and one steal. Aytes averaged 2.8 points in 9.3 minutes per game.
Prior to UNLV, Aytes prepped at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where he played for legendary coach Joedy Gardner. As a senior he averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds and was named to the All-CIF Southern Division 4AA Team. ESPN.com ranked Aytes No. 66 nationally among power forwards in the class of 2013.
During the AAU season, Aytes played for the Dream Vision. Under the guidance of coach Clayton Williams, Aytes had a strong 2013 spring season that included earning MVP honors at the adidas Exclusive Run.
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