This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Although Larry Krystkowiak's incoming class is considered one of the better talent pools in the Pac-12, the biggest coup for the Runnin' Utes might've been convincing their top performer to return.
A first team all-Pac-12 honoree last season, Delon Wright has already been tapped to be one of the best guards in college basketball this coming year. And the Utes announced Monday, confirming an earlier ESPN report, that Wright will be joining some of the country's best at the Lebron James Skills Academy this weekend in Las Vegas.
The session, running from July 9 to 12, will feature 30 of college basketball's best returning players scrimmaging and running drills with NBA scouts getting a chance to break them down.
"This is a really nice honor for Delon because he has worked so hard," head coach Larry Krystkowiak said in the school's news release. "This is a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills against some of the top players in the country."
Wright will get a chance to see plenty of competition that he'll face this next season: Arizona's Rondae Hollis Jefferson and Stanley Johnson; Kansas' Perry Ellis III ; Oregon's Joseph Young; and Wichita State's Ron Baker. Some other notable players in attendance - at least already announced - include Wisconsin's Sam Dekker and Iowa State's Georges Niang.
Wright emerged as the Utes' top do-it-all threat last season, averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He was also an all-defensive team honoree in the Pac-12, leading the league with 2.5 steals per game. This spring, Utah fans were relieved to hear that he was returning for his senior season.
The Skills Academy is timed to coincide with the start of the first July recruiting weekend for college head coaches. One assumes that Wright's presence at the academy will be a nice recruiting pitch for Krystkowiak and his staff as summer recruiting picks up.
Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon