Aytes has a year of eligibility left, but Rose choked up a bit when he talked about how Aytes will graduate in two weeks. He will become the first member of his family to earn a college diploma.
Aytes spoke briefly as well, thanking the entire BYU community for the love and support he received since joining the program in 2013. It certainly sounded like a farewell speech, and Rose and Aytes shared a hug when Aytes concluded his remarks.
Rose gave Aytes the "Coaches Award," and talked about he never missed a practice and remained positive and a team chemistry-builder despite limited minutes in 2016-17 due to various knee and ankle ailments that kept him from regaining the form he showed in high school when the likes of Arizona, UCLA, Kansas and Gonzaga were recruiting him.