Utah Utes basketball: Teammates? Jason Washburn's had quite a few

Washburn, who endured roster makeovers under both Boylen and Krystkowiak, is making plenty of associations as well. The 6-foot-10 center from Battle Creek, Mich., is the lone active player on the roster from the Boylen era. While others shied away from the challenge of playing in the Pac-12, Washburn stayed put.

"It's been a long road. My career has been a long and interesting story. But even through all these teammates, I'm glad I stuck around," Washburn said. "I don't think I'd change it for anything. The only thing I would probably change is the win column."

Although the Utes went 6-25 last season, this year's squad is off to a 4-1 start. Washburn is in the mix and contributing on yet another revamped roster.

"It's definitely good to see how he interacts with everybody. He definitely gets along with all the guys," said senior guard Jarred DuBois, a transfer from Loyola Marymount. "He's kind of the leader as far as getting everybody together. So I think his experience definitely helps us out a lot."

Krystkowiak agrees that Washburn is a pretty easy guy to get along with and has even called him a chameleon, of sorts.

"I've given him a hard time at times because, you know, I think if you're exposed to a lot of people, you still need to be yourself," Krystkowiak explained, while noting it's something he has talked to Washburn about. "It's important to define who you are, instead of maybe trying to fit in with this group of three guys and this group of three guys. Because you spend your whole life or your whole college experience trying to fit into something when, in the end, I think it's really important to kind of keep your own identity. I see him doing that a little bit more now."

Krystkowiak compared the situation to how a freshman needs to try to fit in, while a senior is a little more comfortable in his own skin. Washburn, he continued, seems like he's responding to a lot of different challenges kind of as his own guy now.

"He knows how he wants to do it and I sense that he is more comfortable." Krystkowiak said.

Washburn, though, has gotten used to a lot of things. Over the years, he has helped coach and/or mentor newcomers into the program — showing them the ropes and things like that.

Change has been constant and Washburn has weathered it well. It's defined him in a lot of ways.

After all ...

"I don't think there's too many other guys in college basketball that are going to play with 55 teammates," Washburn said.

Email: dirk@desnews.com

Twitter: @DirkFacer

Washburn's teammates

Teammate definition — a player who was officially on a Utah roster concurrently with Washburn. This includes walk-ons, redshirts, injured players and those who did not necessarily earn a varsity letter.

Dallin Bachynski (2012-13)

Lawrence Borha (2008-09)

Carlon Brown (2008-10)

Will Clyburn (2010-11)

Jordan Cyphers (2008-10)

Javon Dawson (2011-12)

Glen Dean (2011-13)

Antonio DiMaria (2010-11)

Aaron Dotson (2011-13)

Jonathan Downie (2008-09)

Luka Drca (2008-10)

Jarred DuBois (2012-13)

Dijon Farr (2011-12)

David Foster (2009-13)

Josh Fuller (2010-11)

Shawn Glover (2009-11)

Corbin Green (2011-12)