Coach (Dave) Rose has built an incredible program and it would absolutely be an honor to play for him and the other coaches there. They’ve spent a lot of time with me and have attended a lot of my games and workouts. BYU offers a lot with its basketball program, education, environment and everything else. – Ryan Andrus, college basketball prospect
AMERICAN FORK — Four local basketball prospects were offered Division I scholarships Monday, with American Fork’s Ryan Andrus as the headliner.
Utah State led the effort, extending offers to a trio of 2015 graduates: Brighton’s Brock Miller (6-5), the younger brother of Utah signee Brandon Miller; Zac Seljaas, a 6-foot-7 swingman from Bountiful, and Jesse Wade (6-1), who starred for Davis last season in the state tournament.
BYU extended an offer to Andrus, who now holds offers from all three major in-state collegiate basketball programs.
“It’s an incredible honor and I’m so blessed to receive offers from all three of those programs,” Andrus said. “All three of them are truly great programs with a lot to offer and it’s going to be really tough deciding between all of them.”
Andrus is a 6-foot-10 center prospect who averaged 19.3 points per game last season as a junior. Utah State recognized his potential very early in the process — offering him a scholarship before his freshman season.
“It was incredible being offered by the Aggies at such a young age,” Andrus said. “Since then I’ve built a very strong relationship with Coach (Stew) Morrill and I’ve been up there a lot. Utah State offers a lot for me as a student and as a player. Playing in the Spectrum would be incredible. I love the fans up there and how passionate they are about their team.”
Boise State was the second school to offer Andrus, almost a full year after receiving his initial offer from the Aggies. Since then the Broncos have cooled off with their recruitment, but Andrus still holds some interest.
“I love the Boise area and will consider signing with Boise State although they really haven’t recruited me much after offering,” he said.
Next up was Utah, who extended Andrus an offer right before the start of his junior season.
“Since Utah offered me they’ve definitely been the school that has shown me the most interest,” he said. “Coaches have been recruiting me very hard and I really appreciate their efforts. I’ve really built strong relationships with the coaches there and I’ve visited up there a lot.”
Andrus has also been impressed with Utah’s progress as a program and believes coach Larry Krystkowiak is the right man for the job.
“Utah is on the rise and there’s no question about that,” Andrus observed. “He’s improved the team a lot since he’s been there and there’s no question in my mind that he’ll continue to improve. Being a part of that would be a great honor for me. Utah also has a great medical school and I’m interested in that.”
The Cougars have kept contact with Andrus throughout the recruiting process but waited to offer him until Monday evening. Despite BYU's coming a bit late to the table, Andrus likes what the school has to offer.
“There’s really too many good things to say about BYU,” he said. “Coach (Dave) Rose has built an incredible program and it would absolutely be an honor to play for him and the other coaches there. They’ve spent a lot of time with me and have attended a lot of my games and workouts. BYU offers a lot with its basketball program, education, environment and everything else.”
Andrus is in no hurry to make his final decision but wants to commit before the start of his senior season.
Andrus is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has definite plans to serve a mission. Although he has the option to leave for a mission right after he graduates high school, BYU coaches have expressed interest in him playing a year before serving.