Runnin’ Utes Sign Three to NLI’s

Runnin’ Utes Sign Three to NLI’s

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah head men’s basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak announced Wednesday that three players – Rylan Jones, Matt Van Komen and Mikael Jantunen – have all signed national letters of intent to attend the U and play basketball for the Runnin’ Utes beginning in the fall of 2019.

RYLAN JONES
6-1 | 170 | G
Salt Lake City, Utah | Olympus High School

Ranked as a four-star player … also tabbed one of the top-25 point guards in the nation according to multiple recruiting outlets … helped lead Olympus High School to a 27-0 record in 2017-18 and the 5A state championship … averaged 18.3 points, 9.9 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game as a junior … set the single-season state record with 266 assists this past season … a three-time first team all-state selection (Fr. – Logan High School; So. and Jr. – Olympus High School) … named Utah’s Mr. Basketball in 2018 … also named Utah’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018.

Coach Krystkowiak on Jones:
“Rylan has a great feel for the game, has an excellent basketball IQ, he is a great competitor, makes those around him better and he wins. He is a coach on the floor and really understands the point guard position.”

Matt Van Komen
7-4 | 220 | C
Pleasant Grove, Utah | Pleasant Grove High School

Ranked as a four-star player and the No. 2 recruit coming out of Utah by ESPN … also tabbed one of the top-20 centers in the nation according to ESPN … led Pleasant Grove High School to the 2017-18 6A state championship game … averaged 16.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 blocked shots per game as a junior … was a 2018 first team all-state selection … committed to the U after receiving offers from Gonzaga, Baylor and Utah State.

Coach Krystkowiak on Van Komen:
“Matt has the ability to change the game from a defensive perspective. He can be an elite rim protector and continues to develop strength.”

Mikael Jantunen
6-8 | 215 | F
Helsinki, Finland | Helsinki Basketball Academy

Ranked as the No. 1 prospect coming out of Finland by 247Sports.com … played at Helsinki Basketball Academy under assistant coach and former Utah player, Hanno Möttölä … was a starter on the Finnish Senior National Team … played in the u18 European Championships where he averaged 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game … also shot an impressive 72.3 percent from the field … led the u18 European Championship field in rebounding for two consecutive seasons … also considered offers from Loyola Marymount, Georgia and Minnesota before committing to the U.

Coach Krystkowiak on Jantunen:
“Mikael is a very versatile forward with a lot of great international experience. He is an elite rebounder, while also having a great skill set for pushing the break and playmaking.”