This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sophomore guard Isaiah Wright and junior forward Chris Reyes are transferring from the Utah men's basketball program.

Wright's father, Archie Wright, confirmed to the Tribune that the Idaho native had informed coach Larry Krystkowiak of his intent to transfer and been granted his release.

The one-time Idaho Gatorade player of the year was a reserve in the backcourt for the Utes, averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 assists in 13 minutes per game. Moving forward, he didn't see as much playing time as he hoped for, according to Archie Wright.

"I think he's looking for more opportunity and to get in a situation where he can get more playing time," he said. "He loved the university and the coaching staff there, but maybe the style of basketball wasn't the right fit for him."

The Tribune has learned Reyes also informed the coaching staff of his intention to transfer in the past week. He averaged 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game this past season while subbing in for 8.4 minutes per game.

Reyes came to Utah via Citrus College, where he was the Western State Conference South MVP in his freshman season. http://bit.ly/11tHipp";>He started at forward most of the 2014-15 season for the Utes, averaging 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds as a sophomore.

Wright and Reyes were a part of Utah's heralded 2014 signing class which also includes Jakob Poeltl, Kyle Kuzma and Brekkott Chapman. But of the class, Wright and Reyes played the least minutes last year.

Utah's incoming class appears to also have a host of incoming competition at their respective positions.

The Utes brought in Utah State transfer David Collette and gothttp://bit.ly/22VKRPI";> a commitment from Salt Lake Community prospect Tyler Rawson this week, and both will look to compete for minutes in the post where Reyes played.

The Utes return junior guard Lorenzo Bonam, brought in SMU transfer Sedrick Barefield, and signed another guard inhttp://bit.ly/1G2jcph";> JuCo prospect Jojo Zamora. With LDS missionary Parker Van Dyke slated to return, there was some backlog in the backcourt as well.

Archie Wright said in a meeting with Krystkowiak last week, the Utes said they wanted Isaiah Wright to return, but he was ready for a change of scenery.

"For us it was a process of sitting down, and seeing what was best for Isaiah," Archie Wright said. "Maybe Utah is not the place for him right now. He feels like he has a lot to offer as a player."

Neither player is believed to have yet settled on a destination.

The Utes now are expected to bring five new players onto scholarships this fall, and possibly could bring in a sixth when Collette is eligible to accept aid.

Sophomore Jakob Poeltl has not yet declared for the 2016 NBA Draft, but is widely expected to do so. Of its scholarship players with experience last year, the Utes only bring back Bonam, Kuzma, Chapman, Kenneth Ogbe and Gabe Bealer. Freshman forward Makol Mawien redshirted last year, and Van Dyke (who played in the 2013-14 season) is slated to return from his mission.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon