Utah Guard Both Gach To Transfer If He Withdraws From NBA Draft
May 14, 2020, 7:38 PM | Updated: May 18, 2020, 4:25 pm
Utah Utes guard Both Gach (11) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah guard Both Gach will transfer if he removes his name from the NBA Draft, the team has confirmed.
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Utah basketball head coach Larry Krystkowiak released a statement on Thursday night after the news that Gach was leaving the program.
“We have been very supportive of Both entering the NBA Draft to obtain valuable evaluations from team personnel these past two months,” Kryskowiak said. “So, this comes as a surprise to myself and our staff after learning of Both’s intentions to transfer. Although the decision by Both to leave was not something we had planned or hoped for, our program continues to move forward with our players who are driven and excited to be a part of our Utah basketball family.”
Krystkowiak continued his statement.
“Sometimes one’s individual desires and goals don’t always align with the program they are a part of,” Krystkowiak continued. “However, our focus is and continues to be the players who are fully committed to our program including our incoming recruiting class.”
Gach currently has entered the upcoming NBA Draft but has not hired an agent in order to keep his college eligibility.
Statement from @UtahMBB head coach Larry Krystkowiak after the reports of Both Gach leaving the program. @kslsports pic.twitter.com/0f5OwzOHux
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) May 15, 2020
The Utah guard finished his sophomore season in 2019-20 averaging 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
After dealing with injuries as a sophomore, Gach bounced back toward the end of the season with big performances that led to being named Pac-12 Player of the Week.
Gach originally had until June 3 to decide to return to school or hire an agent and forgo his college eligibility but the NBA Scouting Combine has been suspended due to COVID-19.
The NCAA and NBA are indefinitely postponing the NBA’s June 3 early entry withdrawal date for draft prospects.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 13, 2020
According to Shams Charania of Stadium, the NCAA and NBA are indefinitely postponing the June 3 early entry withdrawal date for draft prospects.
Gach was a key piece to a young Utah team last season that had 12 newcomers on the roster. He was projected to have a big season for the Runnin’ Utes if he decided to return to the Utes.
An option for Gach in the transfer portal, if he decides to return to school, is Minnesota which is where he is from.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
