Utah basketball signs Brazilian big man Renan Lenz


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SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah men's basketball team has signed 6-foot-9 forward Renan Lenz (pronounced heh-NON) to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Larry Krystkowiak announced Wednesday. Lenz becomes the sixth signee who will join the Utes for the 2012-13 season and the third who stands at 6-foot-9 or taller.

Photo: Arizona Community College Athletic Conference
Photo: Arizona Community College Athletic Conference

"We were really happy when we got the call last night that Renan was going to be a Ute," said Krystkowiak. "We have been recruiting him for quite a while. Renan will bring a high skill level as a big man with great versatility. With his international experience and two solid years at the JUCO level, he will be a nice addition to the bigs we have already. I think he has bright future ahead of him at Utah."

Lenz, who is completing his sophomore year at Arizona Western College, is a native of Porto De Algre, Brazil. Last season he led the Matadors to a 26-7 record while averaging 13.2 points, second on the team, and leading the squad with 9.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per contest. A first-team All-Conference choice this year as well as a Division 1 All-Region selection, Lenz was also a third-team All-Conference pick as a freshman.

A highly touted junior college recruit, Lenz chose the Utes after also being pursued by Auburn, Gonzaga, USC, Texas and Virginia Tech, among others.

Following is a roster of 2012 signees who will be suiting up in Crimson and White next year.

Updated 2012 Signee Roster

NamePos.HeightWeightClass*HometownPrevious School
Dallin BachynskiC6-11230So.Calgary, Alberta, CanadaSouthern Utah University
Renan LenzF6-9240Jr.Porto De Algre, BrazilArizona Western College
Jordan LoveridgeF6-6225Fr.West Jordan, UtahWest Jordan HS
Jeremy Olsen^F6-10235RS Fr.Lawrenceville, Ga.Collins Hill HS
Justin SeymourG6-3195Fr.Marietta, Ga.Wheeler HS
Brandon TaylorG5-10150Fr.West Hollywood, Calif.Pacific Hills HS
U of U Press Release, * - denotes class for the 2012-13 academic year, ^ - returning LDS church missionary

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