Rose announces signing class

PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball coach Dave Rose announced today that high school seniors Ryan Andrus, Payton Dastrup, TJ Haws, Dalton Nixon and Jake Toolson have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cougars. Rose also announced that Jordan Chatman and Isaac Neilson will return from two-year missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and play for BYU in 2014-15.

“We are very excited about this group of signees,” Rose said. “The commitments from these players mean a great deal to our staff and to our basketball program. This group is comprised of great players that will be terrific teammates. We are looking forward to the opportunity to coach each one of them.”

Andrus, a 6-foot-10 post player, earned first and second-team all-state honors last season while playing for Doug Meacham at American Fork. He averaged 19.4 points and 6.5 boards and led the Cavemen to a 17-9 record and a trip to the 5A state semifinals.

“Ryan is a complete post player,” Rose said. “He can score with his back to the basket, runs the floor very well and is an excellent defender and rebounder. He’ll be a great fit in our system.”

Dastrup plays for Gary Ernst at Mountain View High School and is considered one of the nation’s top 100 recruits. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 18.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks last season. He was named second-team Division I All-Arizona by AZcentral.com and first-team All-Tribune by the East Valley Tribune. Nationally, ESPN.com and Scout.com have him ranked No. 12 and No. 18 among power forwards.

“Payton has a very special gift of size and skill,” Rose said. “He can score with his back to the basket, and can stretch the defense to the 3-point line. He is a great passer in the post and can put pressure on defenses in so many ways.”

Haws’ accomplishments place him among the best all-time in Utah high school basketball history. The 6-foot-4 guard has won three state titles playing for Quincy Lewis at Lone Peak and helped the Knights win the 2013 MaxPreps.com National Championship.

A second-team all-state honoree as a freshman, Haws has earned first-team honors in each of the last two seasons and was the 5A MVP in 2012-13. He was also the MVP of the 2012 5A state tournament. Haws averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals last season. He is ranked 57th and 67th nationally among all prospects by Scout.com and ESPN.com.

“TJ has enjoyed great success at Lone Peak,” Rose said. “He has the ability to score in so many ways and is relentless in his approach. TJ is a winner in every way. He is very competitive on both ends of the floor. He comes ready to play in our attacking offense, and will be perfect for us.”

Nixon is a two-time first-team all-state honoree out of Orem High School playing for Golden Holt. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 17.5 points and 8.2 rebounds last season as Orem finished 20-4 overall and 13-1 in region play. As a sophomore in 2011-12, he led the Tigers to the 4A state title and was named the tournament MVP.

“We’re very excited about Dalton,” Rose said. “He has a great feel and understanding for the game. Dalton has the ability to score in a variety of ways, is a strong rebounder and brings toughness and a great physical presence.”

Toolson he hails from Gilbert, Ariz. The 6-foot-5 guard did it all last season playing for Derrick Donaldson at Highland High School, averaging 18.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks while earning All-Arizona honors from AZcentral.com. He put up similar numbers his sophomore season when he averaged 18.4 points and 6.3 boards.

“We love Jake’s game,” Rose said. “He has a great basketball IQ and helps his team win in so many ways. He is a great shooter, can drive the ball, in a very good rebounder and really understands the game. He’s a natural fit for us.”

While all five have signed National Letters of Intent, Dastrup, Haws, Nixon and Toolson plan to serve two-year missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to enrolling at BYU in the fall of 2016. Andrus plans to play for the Cougars next season.

Rose will also welcome the return of Chatman and Neilson from LDS missions. Chatman, a 6-foot-4 guard who originally signed in November 2011, is currently serving in Taiwan and will return in April. The son of former Cougar great Jeff Chatman, Jordan Chatman was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Washington his senior season when he averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals at Union High School.

“Jordan will be a great addition to our team next year,” Rose said. “His size, skill set and versatility give him the ability to play multiple positions. He can really score, and is a physical defender. We’re looking forward to having Jordan in our program.”

Neilson, a 6-foot-10 center, averaged 15.3 points, 11.3 points and 5.0 blocks as a senior while leading Mission Viejo High School to a record of 29-3. He originally signed with BYU in November 2010. Neilson earned second-team all-state and All-CIF honors. He will return from his mission in Alabama in December and enroll at BYU for the 2014 winter semester.

“Isaac is a winner and a very skilled big man,” Rose said. “He runs the floor very well, and is an excellent shot blocker. He’ll give us a great presence underneath the basket on both ends of the floor.”

National Letter of Intent Signees

Ryan Andrus
6-10, 220, Forward
American Fork, Utah / American Fork

• A three-year letterman playing for Doug Meacham at American Fork High School
• As a junior averaged 19.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals as American Fork finished 17-9 overall and 7-3 in region play and advanced to the 5A state semifinals
• Named first-team all-state by the Deseret News, second-team all-state by the Salt Lake Tribune, All-Valley by the Daily Herald
• As a sophomore averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds as American Fork finished 19-3 overall and 9-1 in region play
• Played for DreamVision during the AAU season
• Also recruited by Utah and Utah State

Payton Dastrup
6-10, 230, Forward
Mesa, Ariz. / Mountain View HS

• Plays for Gary Ernst at Mountain View High School
• As a junior averaged 18.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks
• Named second-team Division I All-Arizona by AZcentral.com and first-team All-Tribune by the East Valley Tribune
• As a sophomore earned honorable mention All-Arizona Division I honors from AZcentral.com
• Named honorable mention All-Tribune by the East Valley Tribune
• Named a four-star recruit by ESPN, Scout.com and Rivals.com
• National overall recruiting rankings: 98th by ESPN, 100th by Rivals.com
• National position recruiting rankings: 12th by ESPN, 18th by Scout.com
• Also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Florida, Ohio State, Virginia, Kansas, Utah State and UCLA

TJ Haws
6-4, 170, Guard
Highland, Utah / Lone Peak HS

• Has won three 5A Utah state titles (2011, 2012, 2013) and the 2013 MaxPreps.com National Championship playing for Quincy Lewis at Lone Peak High School
• Through three seasons, has totaled 1,242 points (career average of 16.1 ppg) and 169 threes
• As a junior averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.9 steals and hit 64 threes as Lone Peak finished 26-1 overall and 10-0 in region play
• Named the 2012-13 5A MVP by the Deseret News, first-team all-state by the Salt Lake Tribune, All-Valley Offensive MVP by the Daily Herald
• As a sophomore averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals and hit 59 threes as Lone Peak finished 22-3 overall and 9-1 in region play
• Named first-team all-state by the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune and All-Valley by the Daily Herald
• Named the 5A Tournament MVP
• As a freshman averaged 13.8 points and hit 46 threes as Lone Peak finished 24-1 overall and 12-0 in region play
• Named second-team all-state by the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune, all-valley by the Daily Herald and first-team all-Region 4
• Competed in the NBPA Top 100 camp during the summer of 2013
• Named a four-star recruit by ESPN, Scout.com and Rivals.com
• National overall recruiting rankings: 67th by ESPN, 57th by Scout.com, 70th by Rivals.com
• National position recruiting rankings: 13th by ESPN, 14th by Scout.com
• Played for DreamVision and Utah Reign during the AAU season
• Parents are Marty and Tiffanie Haws
• Brother Tyler is a junior guard for the Cougars and has one sister
• His father Marty Haws played for BYU from 1986-90 and earned All-WAC honors 

Dalton Nixon
6-7, 220, Forward
Orem, Utah / Orem HS

• A three-year letterman playing for Golden Holt at Orem High School
• Led Orem High School to the 2012 4A Utah state title
• As a junior averaged 17.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals and hit 21 threes as Orem finished 20-4 overall and 13-1 in region play
• Named first-team all-state by the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune, All-Valley by the Daily Herald
• As a sophomore averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds and hit 33 threes as Orem finished 24-1 overall and 14-0 in region play
• Named first-team all-state by the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune and All-Valley by the Daily Herald
• Named the 4A Tournament MVP as a sophomore
• National position recruiting rankings: 51st by ESPN
• Played for the Utah Prospects during the AAU season
• Also recruited by Arizona State, Creighton, Hawaii, San Diego, San Francisco, Utah, Utah State and Weber State
• His father Kevin Nixon played at BYU from 1991-93

Jake Toolson
6-5, 205, Guard
Gilbert, Ariz. / Highland HS

• A three-year letterman playing for Derrick Donaldson at Highland High School
• As a junior averaged 18.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks and hit 34 threes while Highland finish 18-10 overall and 11-6 in league play
• Named first-team Division I All-Arizona by AZcentral.com and first-team All-Tribune by the East Valley Tribune
• As a sophomore averaged 18.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals and hit 49 threes
• Named All-Tribune honorable mention by the East Valley Tribune
• As a freshman averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals and hit 47 threes 
• Played for Nevada Select during the AAU season
• Played for the Arizona Power during the AAU season
• Also recruited by Arizona State, Boston College, Utah State and Saint Mary’s
• Nephew of former BYU great Danny Ainge

Returned Missionaries

Jordan Chatman
6-4, 195, Guard
Vancouver, Wash. / Union High School

• As a senior averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals while Union finished 21-8 overall, 10-1 in league play and took third in the 4A state tournament
• Named the Gatorade Washington Boys Basketball Player of the Year, MVP of the state tournament
• As a junior averaged 20 points per game
• Earned All-Greater St. Helens League honors
• As a junior, helped lead Union to the regional playoffs
• Ranked No. 2 in his class in the state of Washington
• Played for the Seattle Rotary during the AAU season
• Also recruited by Utah, Utah State, Washington State, Stanford, Portland and Boston College
• Father Jeff Chatman was an honorable mention All-American for the Cougars and is seventh all-time in scoring at BYU with 1,824 career points
• Completed his associates degree while in high school
• Serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taipei, Taiwan
• Originally signed with BYU in 2011

Isaac Neilson
6-10, Center
Mission Viejo, Calif. / Mission Viejo HS