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After overtures that he would recruit international players into the program, Larry Krystkowiak made good on the promise Wednesday with the signing of junior college forward Renan Lenz.
Lenz, a Brazilian long coveted by the Utes, picked Utah over Auburn, USC and Virgnia Tech. His junior college coach described Lenz Thursday as a polished, skillful big man and an elite shot blocker.
"That's what he does best of anything," Arizona Western coach Charles Harral said. It's good news for Utah, which last year had only one player taller than 6-foot-6 and ranked No. 267 of 344 Division I teams in blocked shots.
As a sophomore at Arizona Western, Lenz averaged 13.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. For next year, the Utes have a suddenly imposing front line with Lenz, 7-foot-2 David Foster (one of the nation's top shot blockers in 2010) and Jason Washburn (who blocked eight shots in one game last year).
The 6-foot-9 Lenz becomes the third Ute signee taller than 6-6, giving the Utes five next year (including seniors Washburn and Foster, who returns from injury).
Harral said Lenz's preferred offensive move is a jump hook and is capable of stepping out and hitting a 15-foot jump shot. He also called him a good passer.
An area of improvement? Aggressiveness.
Like many international big men, Harral said Lenz is more of a finesse player, something the Utes would like to see him improve in the Pac-12.
"He's not a banger," Harral said, "but he is a shot blocker. He's more of a finesse post player than he is a down, dirty physical kind of guy."
Harral said Lenz was sold on Utah by Krystkowiak, a fellow power forward, and assistant coach Andy Hill, who was the Utes' lead recruiter.
— Bill Oram<