Even though he can't stop redshirt freshman Josh Sharp from leaving Utah for one of its in-state rivals, new Utes coach Larry Krystkowiak is making it very clear he's not happy about it.
Krystkowiak released a carefully worded statement Friday that fell just short of accusing other programs of recruiting Sharp during his two-year LDS mission in Houston. The Salt Lake City Tribune reported earlier this week that the 6-foot-7 forward intends to transfer and would be interested in either Utah State or BYU even if it meant spending a year as a walk-on.
"It is my understanding that there is an unwritten rule that players cannot be recruited by other schools while they are serving missions," Krystkowiak said. "To do so is not only inappropriate, but it creates an atmosphere of ill will. We hope that Josh returns to our team and wants to be part of what we are building here, but regardless of what happens, we remain strongly committed to recruiting the best players in the state of Utah."
Part of the reason Utah is so adamant about trying to keep Sharp is probably because he would be the eighth player to leave the program since Krystkowiak was hired to replace Jim Boylen on April 3. Sharp was an all-state pick his senior year at Utah's Lone Peak High, but it's hard to gauge how big a loss he'd be since he redshirted the season before leaving on his mission and he hasn't played a game in three years.
According to the Tribune, Utah originally granted Sharp a conditional release that would not allow him to transfer to either an in-state program or a Pac-12 school. Sharp found a loophole to help him get around that because even though he signed a letter of intent in Nov. 2007, it was technically invalid because he didn't also sign a financial aid agreement.
"We want Josh to be a part of our program and are disappointed that rival schools can take advantage of a loophole in the system should they choose," Krystkowiak said.
That so many of Boylen's former recruits have been unwilling to stay at Utah and play for Krystkowiak is a double-edged sword for the Utes.
On the one hand, Utah needed a talent overhaul because the program lacked the caliber of players capable of competing in the Pac-12 beginning next season. On the other hand, it may not bode well for recruiting if Krystkowiak hasn't been able to win over players who were already on the roster.
It's way too soon to pass judgment on Krystkowiak, but one thing is clear: Sharp probably won't be part of Utah's rebuilding process.
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