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Journee Tonga always wanted to play for BYU. But with a crowded running back room and no guarantee of a roster spot, his journey to becoming a Cougar came down to one unforgettable phone call.In the premiere episode of Inside the Y, BYU running back Journee Tonga joins host Canon Deere to share his journey from Los Angeles to Provo, his first experiences playing in front of Cougar Nation, and what he's learned from fellow running back LJ Martin.Tonga takes us behind the scenes of his recruitment, reveals how watching Barry Sanders inspired his love for football, and shares what went through his mind when Coach Harvey called with the opportunity to join BYU.He also opens up about his first BYU touchdown, the brotherhood inside the running back room, the part of his game fans haven't seen yet, and why winning a championship means more to him than individual accomplishments.Plus, find out why Tonga loves playing on the road, who he considers the funniest player in BYU's running back room, and why he believes he's the best pickleball player on the team.Subscribe to Center Street Media for more exclusive BYU player interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and episodes of Inside the Y.Presented by SLING TV: https://www.sling.com/

From playing basketball on an Arizona reservation to joining the BYU Basketball coaching staff, Koa Baker’s journey is a story of perseverance, purpose, and believing in the process.On this episode of Life Beyond the 3, BYU Basketball’s Trevin Knell and Dawson Baker sit down with Cougars graduate assistant Koa Baker to explore his remarkable journey from playing res ball as a kid to finding his place in the BYU basketball program.Koa shares what it was like growing up on a Native American reservation, the traditions that shaped him, and how his love for basketball began. After receiving no college offers out of high school, he took an unconventional path through Snow College, Southern Virginia, and Eckerd College before earning an opportunity at BYU.The conversation also goes behind the scenes of BYU Basketball, including Koa’s interview with head coach Kevin Young, life as a graduate assistant, the Cougars’ player development process, and how sports psychology can help athletes perform under pressure.From chasing a Division I dream to learning how to thrive wherever life takes you, this conversation is about much more than basketball.Subscribe for more exclusive BYU Athletics interviews, player stories, and conversations on Life Beyond the 3.Presented by @slingtv - https://www.sling.com/

Former BYU basketball standout Spencer Johnson joins Dawson Baker and Trevin Knell on Life Beyond the Three to tell the incredible story of his basketball journey—from being lightly recruited and driving DoorDash while trying to pay for school to playing at BYU and eventually becoming a professional champion in England.Johnson looks back on BYU’s move to the Big 12, the unforgettable road win over Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, the changing world of NIL and what made his years in Provo special. He also takes us inside professional basketball overseas, winning a championship during his first season in England and adjusting to a completely different basketball lifestyle.Spencer also opens up about rupturing his Achilles during his second professional season, the chaotic weeks that followed and his journey back through rehab at BYU. Plus, he shares the lessons basketball taught him, some hilarious BYU memories and the legendary Super Smash Bros. battles that became part of life on the road.

He also takes us through his college journey from Cincinnati to Syracuse and ultimately BYU, what Kevin Young wants to unlock in his game, the NBA player he studies, advice he received from Carmelo Anthony, his first impressions of Provo, and what Cougar fans can expect when he takes the floor.Plus: a 40-mile Havasupai hike, his dream food NIL deal, Kobe vs. LeBron vs. MJ, his pregame routine and the best advice he has for the next generation of hoopers.Subscribe for more BYU Basketball stories, conversations and behind-the-scenes access.

Collin Chandler joins Life Beyond the 3 for one of his most candid interviews yet.The BYU guard opens up about growing up in Utah, choosing BYU out of high school, following Mark Pope to Kentucky, becoming one of the Wildcats' biggest clutch performers, but ultimately wanting to return home to play for Kevin Young.Along the way, Collin shares stories about life inside Kentucky basketball, the SEC, Rupp Arena, BYU's team chemistry, his legendary vertical jump, golf, bowling, Super Smash Bros., why he believes his best basketball is still ahead, and much more. Chapters:00:00 Collin Chandler Joins LB301:42 Growing Up in Farmington02:25 BYU Team Bonding Stories03:09 Who's the Worst Golfer?04:30 His Dad's Influence06:13 Why Basketball Won07:13 Where His Athleticism Came From08:38 First Dunk Ever10:13 Choosing BYU... Then Kentucky13:11 What Playing in the SEC Was Really Like15:22 Kentucky vs Louisville Rivalry21:29 Why He Returned to BYU28:30 Favorite Golf Courses30:37 Bowling Obsession32:01 Super Smash Bros Debate34:06 Marriott Center vs Rupp Arena36:44 Shoutout to Lexi Sips38:03 Final ThoughtsFOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE:► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA==► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr#BYUBasketball #CollinChandler #GoCougs

BYU wide receiver JoJo Phillips joins Faith Huddle for one of his most honest and inspiring conversations yet. From growing up in Lancaster, California, to playing at Sierra Canyon, choosing BYU over multiple Power Four offers, battling the toughest injury of his career, and relying on faith to fuel his comeback, JoJo shares the moments that shaped him both as a football player and as a person. He opens up about the mental side of recovery, learning to stay grounded through adversity, his relationship with God, the influence of his family, his NFL aspirations, and why he believes BYU is built to compete for a Big 12 Championship. Whether you're a BYU fan, a football player chasing your dreams, or someone working through your own challenges, this episode is filled with powerful lessons about resilience, gratitude, leadership, and never giving up. Based on the uploaded interview transcript.If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like the video, subscribe for more exclusive BYU Football interviews and behind-the-scenes content, and let us know in the comments what part of JoJo's journey inspired you the most.Chapters:00:00 Meet JoJo Phillips01:37 Growing Up in Lancaster, California03:07 Bronny James & High School Sports05:35 Faith & Early Life07:30 Winning a CIF Championship08:11 Why JoJo Chose BYU10:15 Finding the Right Fit12:00 Being a Christian at BYU13:36 Learning from Veteran Receivers20:00 Rebuilding Confidence After Injury26:12 Excitement for the Upcoming Season27:26 BYU's New Receiving Corps28:50 The Brother Who Shaped His Life32:03 NFL Dreams & Trusting God's Plan34:50 The Legacy JoJo Wants to LeaveFOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE:► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA==► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr#BYUFootball #JoJoPhillips #CollegeFootball

Jake Wahlin joins Life Beyond The Three to discuss his journey from Utah to Clemson and ultimately back home to BYU Basketball.Jake shares why he originally chose Utah, what he learned during his time at Clemson, how the transfer portal shaped his path, and why returning to Provo felt like the perfect fit for his final chapter of college basketball.He also opens up about playing in the ACC, guarding top players, the BYU-Utah rivalry, Coach Kevin Young's vision, and the role he hopes to play for the Cougars this season.Chapters:00:00 Welcome Jake Wahlin01:13 Returning Home To Provo02:18 Jake's Tiger Woods Story04:25 Growing Up Around BYU05:47 Why He Originally Chose Utah06:48 Utah To Clemson To BYU Journey08:24 Misconceptions About The BYU-Utah Rivalry12:30 Best College Basketball Atmospheres14:08 Facing BYU At Madison Square Garden18:52 Kevin Young's Recruiting Pitch20:48 Why BYU Was The Right Fit21:38 Jake's Self Scouting Report22:47 Leadership Role At BYU25:16 Building The Ultimate Teammate Starting Five26:42 Final ThoughtsFOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE:► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA==► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr#BYUBasketball #BYU #JakeWahlin #GoCougs #Big12Basketball

Why did BYU offensive lineman Siosiua "Siwa" Finau choose Provo over Stanford, UCLA, Utah and other major programs?In this powerful episode of Faith Huddle, Siwa opens up about growing up in Oakland, California, being recruited by top programs despite missing two years of high school football, his family's struggles, his sister's brain hemorrhage, and the role faith played in helping him overcome adversity.Finau shares why he believes BYU is a place that "creates men," how his relationship with his twin brother Leppy influenced his recruiting decision, and what he hopes to accomplish both on and off the football field.From Oakland to Provo, this is one of the most inspiring stories in BYU Football.Chapters:00:00 Meet Siosiua "Siwa" Finau01:45 Growing Up in Oakland03:29 Why His High School Career Was Interrupted05:15 Recruited Without Playing Football06:11 "Operation Free Education"06:49 Faith's Role in His Journey08:04 Finding Relationship With God09:35 The Prayer That Changed His Decision10:54 "BYU Creates Men"16:03 Competing Against His Twin19:29 New Competition at BYU22:43 The Darkest Season of His Life25:19 Jeremiah 29:11 and God's Plan26:30 Expectations for BYU Football27:19 Advice for Young People Struggling With Faith30:19 Using Football to Glorify God31:02 Closing ThoughtsFOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE:► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA==► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr

BYU freshman Brooks Bahr joins Life Beyond the 3 to discuss growing up in Texas, returning from his mission in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, choosing BYU over major college basketball offers, and preparing for life in the Big 12.Brooks shares stories from his recruiting journey, mission experiences, family background, BYU basketball culture, Coach Kevin Young, playing in front of the ROC, and what Cougar fans can expect from his game this season.If you're a BYU basketball fan, this is your chance to get to know one of the newest Cougars before he takes the floor.Subscribe for more BYU Basketball interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and Life Beyond the 3 episodes.Chapters:0:00 Welcome Brooks Bahr04:05 Growing Up in Texas05:34 Why Brooks Wants 10 Kids06:27 Discovering Basketball Talent07:44 Recruiting Journey & First Offer09:40 Mark Pope's Departure12:15 Mission Overseas, Food, Culture16:04 Adjusting to BYU Life22:19 Toughest Big 12 Environments30:10 Rapid Fire Questions32:48 Final ThoughtsFOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE:► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA==► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr#BYUBasketball #BYU #BrooksBahr

Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin joins Washed Up to reflect on his NBA rookie season, life in New York, BYU Basketball, Kevin Young's impact, his viral social media presence, and what's next heading into Year 2.Demin discusses the challenges of transitioning from Europe to the Big 12 and ultimately the NBA, shares what surprised him most during his rookie year, explains why he responds to fans online, and gives insight into BYU stars Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa as they prepare for their next steps.He also opens up about his injury recovery, Summer League plans, leadership lessons from Brooklyn's young roster, and the coaches who helped shape his journey.Chapters:0:00 Intro & Washed Up banter01:38 Egor Demin joins the show02:08 Reflecting on his NBA rookie year03:22 Brooklyn’s young roster and losing lessons05:25 BYU fans following his NBA journey06:26 Hardest adjustments from Europe to America07:53 How BYU turned the season around09:28 Europe vs college basketball vs NBA11:26 Moving from Russia to Madrid to BYU12:45 First NBA starts and facing NBA legends13:32 MJ vs LeBron debate14:34 What Year 1 taught him17:12 Egor’s social media strategy19:28 Exploring New York and Brooklyn22:44 Thoughts on BYU’s upcoming season26:13 Advice for Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa30:59 Getting healthy for Summer League31:04 OutroFOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE:► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA==► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr#BYUBasketball #EgorDemin #BrooklynNets #NBA

BYU Basketball physical therapist Dylan Youngman joins Life Beyond the 3 to break down what it takes to keep players healthy, prepared, and performing at a high level.Dylan shares his journey from college baseball to the Denver Nuggets, Texas A&M, and BYU — plus what makes BYU’s basketball-only performance model so unique. He talks NBA body care, freshman onboarding, return-missionary ramp-ups, common basketball injuries, Achilles trends, ankle brace myths, and the habits every athlete should build.From broken ribs on the sideline to pro-level recovery systems, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at the physical therapy side of BYU Basketball.Chapters:0:00 Welcome Dylan Youngman2:27 How Dylan became a physical therapist3:07 Working with the Denver Nuggets4:39 NBA vs college body care5:44 How Dylan got to BYU9:00 Day-to-day with BYU Basketball10:10 Helping return missionaries ramp up11:51 Freshman onboarding process13:59 Most common basketball injuries15:06 Preventing ankle injuries16:13 3 habits to stay healthy all season17:50 Why are Achilles injuries happening?19:57 Wild Texas A&M injury story23:10 Do ankle braces weaken your ankles?24:08 Final thoughts#BYUBasketball #collegebasketball #nil

Fran Fraschilla joins Washed Up to break down the new reality of college basketball: NIL, the transfer portal, international recruiting, roster spending, buyouts, and what coaches have to do to survive. Fran explains why college basketball now feels like annual free agency, why fans are struggling with the transactional nature of the sport, how BYU fits into the modern NIL landscape, and why he believes college basketball may eventually need contracts, buyouts, and a collective bargaining agreement. We also talk about whether Cinderella teams can still exist, how mid-majors can compete, why European players and agents are suddenly flooding the college game, and what the future could look like for BYU, the Big 12, and college basketball as a whole. Chapters: 0:00 Fran Fraschilla joins Washed Up 1:24 Where is NIL headed? 2:16 College basketball’s new normal 3:11 “There are absolutely no rules right now” 4:21 Why players enter the portal to maximize value 5:20 Why NIL frustrates fans 7:36 Does college basketball need a CBA? 11:48 How Fran would build a roster now 13:06 Why NIL keeps borderline NBA players in school 17:13 Old-school coaching vs. new-school NIL reality 20:26 Can Cinderella teams survive? 23:00 The craziest NIL shift Fran has seen 28:04 Fran’s BYU/Provo thoughts 29:05 Biggest takeaways from the interview 35:19 Why Fran’s perspective matters right now 39:03 Final thoughts FOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE: ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA== ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1 ► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11 ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152 ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr #BYUBasketball #collegebasketball #nil

BYU linebacker Nusi Taumoepeau joins Faith Huddle to share the powerful story behind his journey to BYU, his battle through injury, his breakout performance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, and the faith that continues to shape his life. A former 4-star recruit from Westlake High School, Nusi originally signed with Stanford before feeling that God had a different path for him. In this conversation, he opens up about why BYU became home, how his teammates and coaches helped him grow, what it meant to get baptized, and why he wants his legacy to be more than football. From playing through pain to giving God the glory after one of the biggest moments of his young career, Nusi’s story is a reminder that faith, patience, and preparation can carry you through every season. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome Nusi Taumoepeau 2:03 – 4-star Linebacker recruiting story 2:53 – Why BYU became home 6:22 – Playing like a monster while living with faith 7:52 – Working through injury with God in the process 9:00 – The support system that carried him through surgery 10:33 – Breakout Pop-Tarts Bowl performance 13:32 – Why Nusi chose to run it back at BYU 15:06 – Baptism story 22:13 – The moment his number was called against Arizona 28:14 – Pop-Tarts Bowl confetti and giving glory to God 33:08 – Why elite recruits should consider BYU 38:58 – Final message FOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE: ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA== ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1 ► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11 ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152 ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr #BYUFootball #BYUCougars #CollegeFootball

Egor Demin joins Life Beyond the Three for a full conversation about his journey from BYU to the NBA, getting drafted by the Brooklyn Nets, his rookie season, and what surprised him most about playing at the highest level. Egor opens up about the mental and physical adjustment from college basketball to the NBA, the truth about pre-draft workouts, what NBA interviews are actually like, and the moment his name was called on draft night. He also talks about seeing LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant up close, his major shooting jump from BYU to the NBA, life in New York, returning to Utah, and what he is focused on heading into year two. This is a rare interview and behind the scenes look at what it’s like for a top NBA player. Chapters: 0:00 Egor Demin back in Utah 2:09 BYU and NBA rookie season stats 3:02 Setting an NBA rookie three-point record 4:34 Growing through adversity at BYU 5:24 The brutal NBA pre-draft process 6:30 What NBA team workouts are really like 7:37 Utah Jazz three-minute drill 9:28 Did Egor know where he would be drafted? 10:23 Egor’s worst NBA workout story 13:47 What NBA draft interviews are like 15:32 The weirdest interview tests teams gave him 19:00 What draft night really felt like 25:23 Why stars like Luka and Jokic are impossible to stop 32:45 Egor’s picture behind LeBron’s dunk 33:20 Hitting seven threes against Curry 35:04 Egor’s favorite pizza spot in New York 35:49 What Egor is working on this offseason 40:15 Egor’s NBA playoff picks 41:32 Closing thoughts FOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE: ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA== ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1 ► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11 ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152 ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr #byu #nba #nbadraft #brooklyn

Clara Garner spent four years as a BYU Cougarette, competing at the highest level of collegiate dance while balancing faith, academics, injuries, pressure, and a growing social media platform. Her story is profound and in this episode of Faith Huddle, Clara sits down and opens up about what it really takes to make one of the most elite dance teams at BYU — including the year nearly 100 dancers auditioned and only a handful made it. She shares how faith helped her find peace before auditions and nationals, how a shoulder injury nearly took away her love for dance, and how the Cougarettes use their platform to represent Christ, BYU, and something bigger than performance. Chapters: 0:00 — Meet Clara Garner 1:56 — Winning Nationals with the BYU Cougarettes 3:23 — How Competitive Cougarette Auditions Really Are 4:10 — Dance Is More Athletic Than People Think 5:48 — Life Beyond Dance 8:01 — Walking Into the Audition Room 9:41 — Finding Peace Before the Biggest Moment 10:43 — What Spiritual Peace Actually Feels Like 11:45 — Why Nationals Are So Intense 12:23 — Where Clara’s Faith Began 16:12 — The Vulnerability of Performing 21:44 — Clara’s Dream of Becoming a Cougarette 30:48 — What’s Next for Clara Garner FOLLOW CENTER STREET MEDIA HERE: ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/centerstmedia?igsh=MXVhZmF6eHNscGVjOA== ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@centerstmedia?_t=8rMO0mDnCVq&_r=1 ► X | https://x.com/centerstmedia?s=11 ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtANVoFwsIYPBPZBEKixXXg ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-street-media/id1779536152 ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/3krF2xjkvJHsy9JRZXpMZr #ClaraGarner #BYUCougarettes #BYU