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Utah's basketball roster will look slightly different next season.
Freshman small forward Ahmad Fields will leave the program and transfer to another school, he told The Tribune late Monday.
A native of Washington D.C., Fields said he is leaving Utah in order to be closer to home and closer to his family.
The decision was made shortly following the Utes' season-ending NIT loss to St. Mary's. Fields said he met with coach Larry Krystkowiak following that game and that he and the program have had an amicable parting.
After two years featuring a glut of transfers, Fields is the first to leave the program this spring.
"I appreciate everything the Utah program and the coaches have done for me," Fields said. "I just want to go somewhere where I will be a little more comfortable. I love the program, my teammates and the Utah fans. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to play here."
Fields averaged 3.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, and received limited playing time for much of the season. But when given opportunities, he made his mark as one of the most athletic players on the team, and one with considerable upside for the future.
He scored nine points in 16 minutes against Colorado, and spearheaded a comeback against Arizona at the Huntsman Center a few weeks later.
But for all of Fields' talent, playing time was sparse and there were no guarantees going forward. Utah is bringing in Kyle Kuzma and Brekkott Chapman, both of whom play small forward, among other positions. The Utes also plan to move Jordan Loveridge from power forward to small forward, creating a further logjam.
Fields said he doesn't have a destination school, or a specific list. He did say he's spoken to several schools and that he would be moving back east. Fields will finish out the academic semester before leaving Utah.
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