Jordan Kellier and Lahat Thioune Have Entered NCAA Transfer Portal
The ink on the box score hasn't even dried from last week's season-ending loss to USC in the Pac-12 quarterfinals and Utah is already down two players entering the offseason.
According to reports, center Lahat Thioune and guard Jordan Kellier have entered the NCAA transfer portal and will not be returning to the Utes next season.
While neither is considered as big of a loss when compared to the loss of Both Gach last season, the departure of Thioune is going to hurt a bit when it comes to depth down in the post.
The redshirt sophomore appeared in 20 games this past season, averaging 1.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.6 minutes per game.
His best game of the year came against Arizona State in the regular season finale when he scored nine points in 10 minutes of action, including his only three-pointer of the season. He also logged a season-high 20 minutes against Idaho, scoring four points ad grabbing nine rebounds.
But despite the game against the Sun Devils, Thioune was noticeably absent in Utah's quarterfinal loss to the Trojans. With the Utes severely hampered by foul trouble, including two of their top three big men fouling out, Thioune remained on the bench while USC center Evan Mobley finished with 26 points and nine rebounds.
Mar 6, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes center Lahat Thioune (32) is congratulated by forward Riley Battin (21) after playing in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
It appears that Kellier's time in the red and white will also end after a pandemic shortened season.
He appeared in just seven gams this year, totaling 31 minutes of action on the year and averaging 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds per game.
A 6-foot-6 guard from Portmore, Jamaica, he came to the Utes after a season at Williston State where he emerged as a potent scorer who put up 20 or more points in 10 games.
Kellier joined Utah as part of the same class as incoming freshmen Pelle Larsson, Ian Martinez and Mason Falslev. Larsson and Martinez each carved out huge roles with the Utes this season while Falslev is currently serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mar 6, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes guard Alfonso Plummer (25) along with the rest if the bench react to a play by guard Jordan Kellier (10) in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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