Utah Basketball Laying Groundwork For 2026, 2027 Recruiting

SALT LAKE CITY—Alex Jensen’s biggest order of business at Utah was assembling next season’s roster—which will essentially serve as the foundation for a genuine player-development program.

With the 2025–26 lineup mostly set, Jensen and his staff have cast a wide net on the recruiting trail for the high school classes of 2026 and 2027.

The Runnin’ Utes will be deliberate in their recruiting efforts, focusing on building strong relationships and evaluations. Utah is focused on identifying prospects who buy into the culture Jensen hopes to cultivate.

The first wave of recruits and signees will speak volumes about Utah’s long-term trajectory. Here are some of Utah’s targets in the 2026 and 2027 classes.

Utah basketball’s class of 2026 prospects

Junior County, Guard, Wasatch Academy

At 6’4″, County blends size and scoring with point-guard instincts. County’s recruitment spans the country with offers from just about every top program. He’s a dynamic talent with the ability to operate with the ball in-hand or off-ball. He was also one of the new coaching staff’s first prospects to be re-offered. There is ground to gain in his recruitment, so this is an uphill climb, but Utah would love to add a premier prospect like County.

Wasatch Academy’s Junior County and Katrelle Harmon, two of the top ‘26 prospects, were officially re-offered by Utah last night. Plenty of work to do but I have growing confidence Utah Basketball is going to be way more competitive on the recruiting trail, especially in-state. pic.twitter.com/bBzGWiEbO3

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) March 28, 2025

Katrelle Harmon, Guard, Wasatch Academy

Another dynamic 6’4″ guard with a big-time recruitment. Harmon was also among the first to be re-offered by the new staff, as it was reconfirmed on March 28. Auburn, Creighton, Illinois, Oregon, Rutgers, Texas Tech, and USC are among the schools pursuing him. Harmon has displayed quite a bit of playmaking potential this spring and seems to be on the rise.

Abdou Toure, Wing, Notre Dame (CT)

If not the first to receive a new offer, he was one of them. Toure is pushing for top 25 status in the 2026 class. That means his recruitment includes many of the top programs in college basketball. He is one of the more athletically gifted players in the class. Utah has plenty of work to do in this recruitment, but Coach Chillious’ connections back east give Utah an ‘in’ with him.

Top-25 talent Abdou Toure ‘26 had a stock-rising weekend on the adidas @3SSBCircuit with @thebabc — who sits at 8-0 in league play. The 6’6 SF scored at all 3 levels via explosive dunks, ball screen reads for drives/mid range pull-ups + catch/shoot threes. Really gets after it 💯 pic.twitter.com/yhEyS9H7b6

— Nate Buss Hoop Talk (@n8buss) May 20, 2025

Lattimore Ford, Wing, Mount Si (WA)

A four-star wing from the state of Washington, Ford is in the mold of the athletes that Jensen and staff have brought in. Ford is a tough defender with playmaking feel and a solid skillset. He has Washington, Stanford, Oklahoma, and others involved with him.

Josiah Sanders, Wing, Berean Baptist Academy (NC)

A crafty wing with guard-like skills and a polished pull-up game. His recruitment has expanded to over 15 offers. Sanders unofficially visited Utah a few weeks back with the new staff in place. Sanders has the size and skillset to be a factor at the next level. He will be one that Utah likely makes a strong push for.

Thank you University of Utah ❤️🤍for having me and Coach Chill for showing me around. Loved the campus 🙏🏽#thankyoujesus #blessed #agtg @PRO16League pic.twitter.com/LUrsWWPZwR

— Josiah KING sanders (@josiah_sanders1) April 30, 2025

Dean Rueckert, Wing, Timpview

One of the state’s top players, Rueckert is comfortable scoring in a variety of ways. He can knock down shots off screens, attack closeouts, get to the rim, and create for others. He’s also taken a big step forward in his game this offseason and has emerged as a top 40 type of prospect. Washington, Stanford, BYU, and many others have already built a strong case for him, so Utah is playing a bit of catch up.

Dean Rueckert at EYBL Session 1 with the Utah Prospects! @dean_rueckert @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/saYD2cn6dm

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) April 30, 2025

Josh Powell, Guard, Veritas Prep (AZ)

A combo guard who has created a buzz this spring cycle, Powell is among the first prospects that Utah started communicating with. Powell is in the athletic, tough, skilled mold that Jensen is looking for. His recruitment is growing but Utah has established themselves early enough in this race to compete.

Aaron Ekwere • Wing • Finland

At 6’6″, Ekwere’s length and timing make him a defensive pest; offensively, he’s a developing shooter with a knack for slipping into the lane. His recruitment has picked up momentum, as he’s added NC State and Texas A&M offers. Utah offered a couple of weeks before Jensen’s hiring was official, but Utah is expected to continue communication.

Miikka Murrinnen • Center • Finland

A Top 10 prospect in the 2026 class, Murrinnen has ties to the program. He visited Utah last October and enjoyed his experience in Salt Lake City. Murrinnen has blown up as a prospect and has the top programs all competing to land him. Given the Finnish ties to the program, Utah has relationships that could help them here.

Utah’s class of 2027 prospects

Baba Oladotun, Wing, James Hubert Blake (MD)

As the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2027, landing him would be transformational, but Oladotun is going to have an incredibly competitive recruitment. At 6’8″, he marries explosive finishing with advanced shot-creation and board-snatching instincts. With two years to go, it’ll be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds.

blessed to receive an offer from utah.❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/bkG2if9mDv

— Baba Oladotun (@babaoladotun_) May 28, 2025

Crew Fotheringham, Wing, Lone Peak

Brother of former Ute Cole Fotheringham, Crew is one of the state’s top prospects in the 2027 class. He’s a playmaking wing with the ability to get to the rim, and create on the perimeter. His development this year will be intriguing as he has the potential to make a big leap as a player.

Had the pleasure of seeing the #50 player in the country today. @CrewFoth was hands down the most pro ready player in the gym.

Crew is a 6’8” lanky 3 and D who can shoot the leather off the ball. Can’t wait to see him continue to develop. pic.twitter.com/C48CnuugJw

— Dean Armstrong (@DeanMakeStuff) June 5, 2025

RJ Moore • Guard • Ambassador Christian School (NC)

A classic floor-general, sub-10% turnover rate, averaging over six assists per game. Moore has seen his recruitment begin with interest from a handful of power conference programs, including Utah

THANK YOU GOD 🙏🏾 #AGTG pic.twitter.com/3LkTY9OjXl

— rj_moore2027 (@rjmoore2027) June 12, 2025

Other names that Utah has started talking to: Paul Osaruyi, Beckham Black, Gene Roebuck, Jalen Davis, Demarcus Henry, Patrese Feamster, Zain Majeed, Michael Bradley Jr, and Marlon Martinez.

All in all, Utah is clearly taking a different approach on the recruiting trail than the previous regime. Jensen and his staff want to pursue some of the top talent in the country and compete at the highest level in the Big 12.

This first year under Jensen will lay the foundation of his program, while the how and who they recruit will give us a better idea of the identity they want to build towards in the years to come.

There is plenty of work to be done building relationships and re-establishing past connections. Jensen will have the support he needs to pursue these top talents and has the staff around him to get the job done.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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