League: NCAAM Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Injuries

Nate Pickens eager to return for BYU after injury setback

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 3:00 AM

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

Nate Pickens eager to return for BYU after injury setback

Summary

Nate Pickens, a senior guard at BYU, returns to full participation in summer practices after missing last season due to an ankle injury. The transfer from UC Riverside suffered a torn cartilage that required season-ending surgery. Despite the setback, Pickens remained committed to BYU, valuing the support from fans and staff. He aims to make a significant impact in the upcoming season, applying the lessons learned from his time on the sidelines and drawing inspiration from NBA veteran Jrue Holiday.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Pickens missed all of last season due to a serious ankle injury.
•He never considered transferring away from BYU after his injury.
•Pickens aims to leverage his experience from last season in his final collegiate year.
•He was a strong contributor at UC Riverside, averaging 9.8 points per game.
•Pickens focuses on enhancing his defensive skills and overall contributions to the Cougars.

Latest Updates

3:00 AMYahoo Sports — ‘I’m just excited’: Finally healthy, BYU guard Nate Pickens is ready to show the world why he wanted to be a Cougar

What they're saying

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The transfer from UC Riverside who missed all of last season with an ankle injury says he never once considered leaving BYU during the offseason.
— Yahoo Sports

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