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Brekkott Chapman — who was to be a key piece to the University of Utah's men's basketball rotation going forward — has received a release from his scholarship and will transfer from the school, The Tribune has learned.
Chapman originally asked for his release last week, sources tell The Tribune. Upon his request, he and coach Larry Krystkowiak had multiple meetings, in hopes of keeping Chapman in the fold. In the end, Chapman felt he needed a change of scenery, sources say.
There is currently no word on where Chapman, a 6-foot-9 combination forward, will end up. But multiple sources say Weber State is the only school within Utah he can matriculate to. Other stipulations of his release state Chapman is prohibited from transferring to any other Pac-12 school.
In his first two years with the Utes, Chapman was a backup at power forward, one capable of coming in and shooting the ball from the perimeter, one who could put the ball on the floor and take defenders off the dribble.
His role was to expand next season, as he was slated to begin as the starter at small forward, taking over for Jordan Loveridge, who graduated. Now, with Chapman out of the fold, Krystkowiak needs to figure out who will start at that spot.
With an abundance of big men, Kyle Kuzma now becomes the favorite to start at small forward. He started at power forward last season, so if he moves over, Salt Lake Community College transfer Tyler Rawson becomes a candidate to replace Kuzma.
Sources say Chapman is leaving to be closer to his family, originally from Roy, which is why Krystkowiak is fine with a potential transfer to Weber State. Chapman came to Utah as a national top-50 recruit. The former Roy High star was the top-rated recruit of Krystkowiak's tenure.
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