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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah must allow other schools to contact men's basketball player Josh Sharp due to a technicality with his National Letter of Intent. Sharp, who redshirted as a freshman at Utah in 2008-09 before leaving on an LDS church mission, signed an NLI with the Utes on Nov. 14, 2007.
The NLI must be accompanied with a financial aid agreement for it to be valid. Sharp did sign a financial aid agreement, but not simultaneously with his NLI.
"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," said Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak.
"Josh attended classes here for a year, signed an NLI and financial aid agreement, and we want him to continue his education and playing career here. It is my understanding that there is an unwritten rule that players cannot be recruited by other schools while they are serving missions. 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."
