Top 100 small forward Loveridge picks Utah

Jordan Loveridge was the breakout star of the adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas last month. Friday, the 6-foot-6 small forward ended his recruitment by giving a pledge to Utah and new head coach Larry Krystowiak.

"When it came down to it, choosing the University of Utah just felt like the right fit for me," Loveridge said via press release. "I'm looking forward to helping Coach K and his staff reinstate the winning team tradition that Utah basketball fans expect."

Loveridge, ranked No. 92 in the MaxPreps.com Class of 2012 Top 100, also had offers from Brigham Young, Colorado, Hawaii, Santa Clara and Utah State. Arizona was among several other programs showing interest. The decision ultimately came down to the Utes and in-state rival BYU.

"They are both great programs, that's what made it such a hard decision," Loveridge told MaxPreps. "I like the atmosphere there (Utah) and the opportunity to play in the Pac-12 is exciting."

Loveridge earned first team Class 5A All-State honors from the Deseret News last winter at West Jordan High School, just south of Salt Lake City. He piled up 23.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game per game, leading the Jaguars to a 19-4 record and a trip to the state quarterfinals.

The future Ute jumped on the national radar last month in Las Vegas, where he led Utah Pump-N-Run on one of the deepest runs in a major summer tournament ever for a team from the Beehive State. He averaged over 25 points and nine rebounds per game against elite competition, pushing the club to a semifinal appearance before losing to eventual champion Texas Assault.

"Jordan proved that he can play with anyone in the country this past summer," club coach Todd Phillips said.

"Nothing has changed for me," Loveridge said of his post-Super 64 activities. "I get a lot more calls but nothing has changed. I'm still working hard."

Loveridge is Utah's first commitment in the 2012 class.