Former Ute Josh Grant Gives Three Reasons Utah Players Are Transferring

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah men’s basketball team has been dealing with players entering their name in the transfer portal over the last three years for various reasons that are unknown. Former Utah Utes star Josh Grant has three reasons why the players are transferring.

In the last two years, Utah has lost six players in the transfer portal, including Donnie Tillman, Vante Hendrix, Christian Popoola, Charles Jones and Naseem Gaskin.

“I don’t think there is a lot of players that have transferred that really had the ability to be here in the first place,” Grant said on the Crimson Corner podcast. “Because they weren’t good enough or they couldn’t pick up Larry’s (Krystkowiak) system.”

NCAA Issues

The first reason that came to mind to Grant on why players are transferring is the NCAA and having the transfer portal, making it easier for student-athletes to change schools.

“I don’t think the NCAA does anybody any favors by making this transfer portal nonsense,” Grant stated. “When I played, if you didn’t show up to class, you had to get up really early and run to make sure that you didn’t miss class again. The NCAA doesn’t allow you to punish players like that.”

Cleadus, you are the man!! pic.twitter.com/AuR2Ux56Fd

— Josh Grant (@UteJosh5) February 27, 2016

Grant believes players have an easy way out when they are not happy with their current situation.

“There is no accountability and the NCAA just perpetuates that and they have made it so easy to go into the transfer portal,” Grant mentioned. “Anytime there is any roadblock for these kids, they don’t hunker down and try to overcome adversity and they just transfer.”

Recruiting Process

Another reason is that Utah isn’t getting the right players into the program that fit the culture Krystkowiak has built over the last nine years.

“I don’t think we have had the best judgment in talent because they don’t have any connection to Utah,” said Grant. “Larry is not a common coach where he is just happy to be there and everybody is excited and everybody is one big happy family without any structure. Larry has structure, look at him as a player, he was a tough and hard-nosed player.”

Headed to Madison Square Garden to watch the #Utes play Duke! pic.twitter.com/wHHu5E4y3t

— Josh Grant (@UteJosh5) December 19, 2015

Initially, in the recruiting process, a prospect could be a fit in the program but things change over time and that is a part of sports.

“You have to have a certain type of player that can play for a coach like that,” Grant added. “So, when the coaches are chasing five-star athletes because they are in the Pac-12 and that’s what they are supposed to do, that doesn’t always fit Larry. So, when guys realize that they don’t fit the culture, they transfer.”

How Players React To Tough Coaches

Many would say that in today’s day and age players don’t want to deal with a coach who is tough or challenges their players to a certain extent. Krystkowiak is a different type of coach because of the way he played the game when he was in college and the NBA.

“Larry is a tough guy,” Grant said. “He is tough-minded and some kids just can’t handle it. How are kids supposed to learn how to be men if coaches cannot hold them responsible. The only way that you can hold a kid responsible is by not playing them in a game. If players don’t play in a game, they are going to leave.”

The Crimson Corner is the one-stop for all things University of Utah Athletics hosted by Utah insider Trevor Allen. Ute fans will find interviews with current players, coaches and staff alongside expert analysis of every game, story and angle coming out of the University of Utah.

You can download and listen to the podcast, here.