Utah Utes basketball: Utes grant release of four more players

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah basketball program's facelift continued Tuesday with confirmation that Javon Dawson, Chris Hines, George Matthews and Kareem Storey have been granted release from their scholarships.

"We really want to thank these young men for all of their efforts here at Utah in their commitment to basketball, academics and our community," Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak said in a released statement. "They are fantastic people and we wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

The Utes, who went 6-25 last season, are now without six scholarship players from their inaugural Pac-12 team. Anthony Odunsi was granted a release last month and Blake Wilkinson is departing in May for an LDS Church mission to Riverside, Calif.

The vacancies clear room for the addition of five players who signed with Utah last fall. The newcomers include West Jordan High star Jordan Loveridge, as well as Dallin Bachynski, Josh Hearlihy, Jeremy Olsen and Justin Seymour.

Guard Brandon Taylor of Pacific Hills High in West Hollywood, Calif., has also given the Utes a commitment.

Email: dirk@desnews.com

Twitter: @DirkFacer