SALT LAKE CITY – Utah head men’s basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak announced today that Lahat Thioune has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Runnin’ Utes beginning in the fall of 2018.

Thioune joins a 2017-18 recruiting class that included the additions of Timmy Allen (Mesa, Ariz.), Riley Battin (Oak Park, Calif.), Naseem Gaskin (Oakland, Calif.) and Charles Jones, Jr. (Portland, Ore.), which all signed national letters of intent this past November.

“We are excited to have Lahat join our program,” said Krystkowiak. “With his ability to run the floor, block shots and rebound, he brings a great deal of balance to this year’s class. Lahat has a motor and upside that we are excited to coach, but more importantly he’s a phenomenal young man with a great attitude that our fans and community will enjoy.”

Thioune, who originally hails from Dekar, Senegal, will attend the U after playing high school basketball at Florida Prep (Melbourne, Fla.). A 6-10, 210 pound forward, Thioune helped lead his high school squad to a 25-6 overall record and a perfect 13-0 mark in division play, while also guiding the team to the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinals. He went on to average 14 points and eight rebounds per game this past season.