Jakob Poeltl to return to Utah for sophomore season


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SALT LAKE CITY — He's back!

Freshman 7-footer Jakob Poeltl will return for his sophomore season, according to the University of Utah athletics department.

“I really enjoy it here at the University of Utah,” Poeltl said in a prepared statement Monday. “I love my teammates, coaches and college in general. I think another year will help my development, and I’m looking forward to next season.”

Poeltl, a viable first-round pick candidate in the upcoming NBA Draft, applied to the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee at the conclusion of the basketball season and got "positive feedback."

“During this process I talked to a lot of people, including my family and coaches,” Poeltl said. “I received positive feedback about both options but in the end this was a gut decision on my part. I want to come back to gain experience. I think I can elevate my game a little more before facing the challenges of playing in the NBA.”


During this process I talked to a lot of people, including my family and coaches. I received positive feedback about both options but in the end this was a gut decision on my part. I want to come back to gain experience. I think I can elevate my game a little more before facing the challenges of playing in the NBA.

–Jakob Poeltl


“Jakob had a solid freshman season for us and made great strides, but there is no doubt in my mind that his best basketball is ahead of him,” head coach Larry Krystkowiak said in a prepared statement. “He is driven, intelligent and an elite athlete. I'm excited he has faith in our program to turn the words ‘potential’ and ‘project’ into ‘proven’ and possibly 'prize.'

“One of my favorite parts of this story is that immediately after informing us of his return, he starting talking about our goals for next year’s team,” Krystkowiak added. “He went from ‘me’ to ‘we’ pretty darn quick, and that’s our culture.”

Poeltl's return is a big boost for the Utes, who look to build off the momentum coming off a season cut short to eventual national champion Duke in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

Poeltl finished his freshman season shooting 68 percent from the field, which ranked him fourth nationally. He was also a semifinalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award and was part of the Pac-12's All-Freshman Team.

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