Brekkott Chapman transferring from Utah; Weber State in play?
Wichita State guard Evan Wessel (3) guards Utah forward Brekkott Chapman (0) in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah forward Brekkott Chapman (0) runs up court in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game against Wichita State Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah forward Brekkott Chapman (0) passes the ball in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game against Wichita State Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Utes men's basketball player Brekkott Chapman. At the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. On November 24,2014.
SALT LAKE CITY — A former Roy High star is leaving his college team and may land even closer to home, according to his coach.
Former Royal and University of Utah forward Brekkott Chapman is leaving the Utes, according to Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak and a report from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Krystkowiak told ESPN 700 AM radio Friday that Chapman is transferring, and in an unusual moment, named a possible destination.
“Last I heard, Brekkott is looking to get back to the Roy area,” Krystkowiak told hosts Sean O’Connell and Brian Swinney. “Weber (State) is one of the schools I released him to.”
“Family and some high school acquaintances were real important to him, and we went through some of the things that were high on his list. So there’s a chance he gets to Weber,” he said.
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The Salt Lake Tribune reported Chapman originally requested a release from his scholarship last week, and after several meetings with his coach, his release was granted.
Utah is restricting Chapman from transferring to other in-state schools — except Weber State — and Pac-12 Conference schools, according to the Tribune.
If Chapman transfers to another Division I school, he would be required by NCAA rule to sit out the 2016-17 season, and would likely use his redshirt to do so. He would then have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-8 left-hander played 15 minutes per game as a freshman, shooting 48 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. His numbers dipped as a sophomore, shooting 43 percent overall and 27 percent from deep in 13 minutes per game.
Chapman was a four-star prospect out of Roy High School and was ranked No. 49 nationally in ESPN’s 2014 recruiting rankings.
Contact Brett Hein at bhein@standard.net, follow on Twitter @bhein3 and find him on Facebook.