Kendyl Sanders Commits To Utah Basketball
Apr 16, 2025, 1:22 PM | Updated: 1:24 pm
Utah Utes fans cheer during a men’s basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. (Photo Cred: Megan Nielson, Deseret News)
(Photo Cred: Megan Nielson, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY—On Wednesday, Alex Jensen and his Utah basketball program received a commitment from IMG forward Kendyl Sanders.
After unofficially visiting the program last weekend, Sanders earned an offer and didn’t waste much time committing.
Sanders is a developmental prospect who brings some potential to Utah’s forward position.
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Los Angeles CA native 6-7+ post-grad Kendyl Sanders (IMG/FL) has committed to Utah. Former St. Bernard/Playa del Rey CA & Belmont Shore/CA standout was a 2024 @PangosAACamp Top 60 Game pick & all-tourney at @Terrific24FCP. @VerbalCommits @NBNMagazine pic.twitter.com/0wyyd9X71y
— Dinos Trigonis (@trigonis30) April 16, 2025
Kendyl Sanders goes in-depth on the decision to commit to Utah
Sanders committed to the Runnin’ Utes over schools such as San Francisco, UC Irvine, and Northern Illinois. He is a late that enjoyed a productive year at IMG’s post-grad program, averaging 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a game.
After unofficially visiting the program last weekend, Sanders left Salt Lake City with an official offer from the program.
“I committed to Utah because the coaching staff was fully invested in me, and they see a bright future,” Kendyl Sanders shared. “It felt like they knew me very well and knew how I played for quite some time.”
Despite an almost entirely new staff at the college level, Sanders has had a long-standing relationship with assistant coach Raphael Chillious.
“Coach Chillious had already been watching me play, well before he was at Utah,” Sanders said. “He kept telling me that he sees me as a great developmental player and that if I work hard, I will be on the floor.”
Sanders had the opportunity to visit Utah last weekend, which gave him a first look at the program.
“What stood out the most was the amazing facilities the school had and how nice of a campus it was,” Sanders said of his visit. “I like the plan in place for me and the program, which also stood out, and I’m excited to get to work.”
How does Sanders fit with Utah basketball?
Sanders is a 6-foot-7 forward who does a lot of work inside but has shown improvement overall. He needs to continue to add size to his frame and improve his skills, but Sanders has the sort of potential worth taking.
He fits nicely with the general vision Alex Jensen has for the program. With a mindset towards continuity and player developemnt, Sanders is the sort of prospect worth bringing in with 15 scholarship spots on a roster.
Sanders seems to have the requisite athleticism to compete at this level, but he will need to continue to progress from a physical and skill standpoint.
Alex Jensen and staff continue to build out the 2025-26 roster
Sanders joins James Okonkwo and Terrence Brown in the class, as well as Keanu Dawes, Ibi Traore, and Alvin Jackson. That brings Utah’s roster to a total of six players, leaving them with nine open spots.
The Runnin’ Utes have added some solid pieces and must continue to secure players who will help them compete in the Big 12 next season. More importantly, though, Utah should focus on players who have room—in terms of potential and eligibility—to grow under Jensen and his staff.
Utah will continue to bring in players for visits and with nine spots to fill, Utah has plenty of work to do.
RELATED: Martin Schiller Named Third Assistant Coach On Alex Jensen’s Utah Basketball Staff
Setting the foundation: Utah’s culture starts with defense
Roster building is urgent—but culture is permanent. Jensen isn’t just recruiting players. He’s building a program, and that starts with identity. For Utah, that identity will start on the defensive end.
“I want to build something, I don’t want to build a new team every year, but build some continuity that way,” Alex Jensen said in an interview with NCAA reporter Andy Katz.
“Watching Houston make their run, Kelvin [Sampson] does such a good job, he gets his guys to play so hard,” Jensen shared. “That’s something the assistants I’ve hired talk about. That’s who we measure ourselves to and we’ve got to get kids that are tough like that and compete like them.”
In Jensen’s vision, the Runnin’ Utes will be a disciplined, gritty, tough, defensive-minded program. Think closeouts with purpose. Rotations with urgency. Contests without fouling. Utah isn’t going to outgun everyone—they’ll out-tough them.
