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SALT LAKE CITY — The Runnin’ Utes have added another center to its roster with the signing of Jakub Jokl.
Jokl, a 6-foot-11, 230-pound forward from the Czech Republic, signed a National Letter-of-Intent Thursday and will be available to play for the Utes in the upcoming season. Jokl played one season at the Canarias Basketball Academy.
“We are very excited to welcome Jakub to the Utah basketball family,” Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak said in a prepared statement. “His size and skill will be a great addition to our front court.
“Jakub also brings valuable international playing experience to our team after coming to us from a great CBA program where he has worked hard to improve and has been developed by great coaches,” Krystkowiak added. “We look forward to getting him on campus and working with him.”
Jokl played on both the U16 and U18 Czech Republic National teams, in addition to the JBC MMC Basketball Club. He joins an already deep frontcourt for Utah, joining 7-footer Jayce Johnson, 6-foot-11, Tyler Rawson and 6-foot-10 David Collette.
Rob Orellana, director of the CBA, said in a statement that he believes Jokl will be a good fit for the Utes, saying: “Jakub is a great player, who has worked a lot during the season to meet his goals.
“He is going to play at a top university and he is prepared for what lies ahead,” Orellana added. “Utah has signed a center that is able to move and shoot effortlessly. I am sure that coach Krystkowiak will enjoy coaching Jakub.”
“I have been working to get an opportunity (to play collegiately) and now I will be able to play for the Utes,” Jokl said in a statement to the CBA. “During my only year at the CBA Academy, I could work on all my skills with the best staff, particularly with the ex-NBA champion and ex-Euroleague player, Richard Petruska, who helped me in my development. I did not go wrong when I chose the CBA.”
Earlier this month, Utah signed junior college transfer Tim Coleman, a guard from Lee College in Baytown, Texas. In March, Utah welcomed Salt Lake Community College transfer Tyler Rawson.
