Utah Basketball’s Lawson Lovering Enters NCAA Transfer Portal
Mar 21, 2025, 5:14 PM
Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith talks with center Lawson Lovering (34) during a game between the Utah Utes and the Radford Highlanders at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah basketball’s Lawson Lovering has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to reports made on Friday.
The senior big man from Wyoming averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27 games for the Utes last season.
NEWS: Utah Center Lawson Lovering has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.
The 7’1 center averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.https://t.co/DPpwUaobig pic.twitter.com/Eri9UqFVaC
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) March 21, 2025
Lawson Lovering To Test The Portal Waters
Lovering started his college career with Colorado in 2021.
In his sophomore season with the Buffaloes, he averaged 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. Following a disappointing 17-16 season, he entered the portal and eventually chose Utah.
Lovering had similar numbers and a similar role with the Utes in 2023-24. This last year, he made jumps in nearly every major statistical category.
His best game of the season came on December 21 against the Iowa Hawkeyes. He posted 25 points and four rebounds on almost 80 percent from the floor.
Finding the big man inside for the JAM‼️@GabeMadsen53 🤝 @lawson_lovering #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/pnpasAdsRt
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) March 5, 2025
However, similar to his first two years in Boulder, individual success didnt lead to team results.
Utah finished with a 16-16 record, lost early in the Big 12 Championship, and missed out on an NCAA Tournament bid.
Alex Jensen Rebuilding Runnin’ Utes Program Will Strengthen Utah Basketball Community
With Alex Jensen now leading the University of Utah men’s basketball program, the former Runnin’ Ute standout will soon begin to lay the foundation for his program.
Jensen’s connection to the university and extensive coaching background uniquely positions him to reconnect the program with its storied history and inspire optimism for the future.
It’s become clear, though, that his mere presence is already resonating with the Utah basketball community, which bodes well for him and the program’s future.
Introducing, the 17th Head Coach in Runnin’ Utes History, Alex Jensen‼️ pic.twitter.com/khgmVsyjHB
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) March 18, 2025
Within the state of Utah, there is a strong basketball community. Thanks to the Utah Jazz and the success of nearly every local college program, basketball carries a lot of value here. The hiring of Jensen strengthens Utah basketball’s own community, which is a tight-knit, passionate group with a dedicated fanbase and former players.
His mere presence has already resonated with Runnin’ Utes fans. Utah’s ticket office has seen a surge in inquiries regarding season tickets, particularly from fans who had distanced themselves in recent years. Not only have previous season ticket holders expressed interest in returning to the Huntsman Center, but hundreds of totally new season ticket requests have flooded the ticket office.
That speaks to one aspect of the Utah basketball community, but another is the relationship between the program and former players. Many Runnin’ Ute alums have expressed renewed enthusiasm, eager to see Jensen steer the program back to prominence.
