WEST JORDAN - West Jordan High basketball player Jordan Loveridge has committed to play for the Runnin' Utes. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound prospect was Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak's first in-state offer.

"He (Krystkowiak) made a good impression on me immediately," said Loveridge. "He's a real down-to-earth man, and I believe he'll get Utah back in the right direction real soon. He has a real high basketball IQ, and I just like everything about him."

Jordan likes the idea of helping to rebuild the Utes' once-storied basketball program.

Related:

Utes land 4 star cornerback from Texas

Utah has picked up an early recruiting commitment from Justin Thomas, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound cornerback from West Orange-Stark High School In Texas.

"It's real exciting seeing how coaches are starting over there with all of the rebuilding. I think they're going to have a lot of success going to the Pac-12 and all that, so yeah, I'd like to be a part of that for sure."

Jordan credits Utah's academics, as well as being close to home, as to why he wants to be a Runnin' Ute.

"The most important thing for me with which school I'll commit to is academics," he said. "You go there to play basketball, but getting a good education is my first priority, so the school I play for has to have good academics. I also want to play, and I want to play soon, and not sit on the bench. I have to believe that whatever school I sign with will give me the best opportunity to play and to contribute to the team."

"I want my family to be able to see me play in almost all my games," he said. "We're a real close family, and it's very important to me that I stay close to home, so they can continue to support me, and see me play."

Loveridge's commitment comes just prior to the start of his senior season at West Jordan.

Related topics