BYU basketball: Y. signs transfer, cuts Pinegar

PROVO — Coach Dave Rose announced Monday that former Salt Lake Community College and Wasatch High forward Logan Magnusson has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the BYU Cougars next season.

Also, Rose announced that freshman guard Matt Pinegar won't return to BYU's program next year.

Magnusson, a 6-foot-6 forward from Heber City, started 31 games last season for the national junior college champion Bruins, averaging nearly eight points, six rebounds and four assists per game. He shot 53 percent from the floor, 46 percent from 3-point range and 79 percent from the free-throw line.

"We're obviously really excited to have Logan join our team," Rose said. "He adds depth and brings toughness, versatility and a great winning attitude, having been a part of two state titles at Wasatch High and a junior college national championship at Salt Lake Community College. Logan has benefitted from great coaching at Wasatch High School, Dixie College and SLCC."

As a freshman in 2005-06, Magnusson averaged 8.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists at Dixie State College while playing for Jon Judkins. After helping the Rebels to a 21-12 record and a trip to the Region 18 championship game he served an LDS Church mission to British Columbia, Canada.

Pinegar, who redshirted in 2007-08 but played only nine games last season after a sports hernia injury sidelined him for BYU's final 18 games, was released from the team a couple of weeks ago. He played a total of 41 minutes this season and made only one of six shots.

"We really appreciate Matt's contribution to the program the last two years," Rose said. "He helped us win two regular-season conference titles and we wish him the best."

Pinegar, who prepped at Timpview High before serving an LDS Church mission to Toronto, sensed after the end of last season that Rose might release him considering the chronic nature of his injury.

"At first I was kind of shocked and it was difficult, because I've played basketball my whole life," Pinegar said. "But considering the season I had and the fact that I never really could try to prove myself, with the circumstances with my injury and the uncertainty around it, there were really a lot of issues in the air about whether I'd have the chance to contribute next year. I understand that it would have been a gamble to stick with me for another year, and I understand how coach Rose has to do what he thinks is best for the program."

Rose offered Pinegar any help possible if he wanted to transfer to another program. However, with he and his wife, Lindsay, expecting their first child in September, and Pinegar wanting to do well in BYU's accounting school and then eventually move on to law school, he views the release now as a blessing in disguise and plans on simply becoming a full-time student.

"In the long run, I think it's all going to be beneficial for me. There are lot of new opportunities for me right now in my life. Now I'll have more time to enjoy those," Pinegar said.

Pinegar's release gives BYU one more available scholarship for next season.

e-mail: jimr@desnews.com