University of Utah Athletics

By Ryan Thurston
Athletic Communications Student Assistant

For Dru Gylten, the choice was simple. Playing college basketball was something she'd always dreamed of, and when the opportunity presented itself, she couldn't say no.

"Playing AAU led me to the coaches here at Utah," she said. "They started recruiting me, and I found a really good connection with them. On my first visit, I fell in love with it right away, and committed on the spot."

Originally from Rapid City, S.D, Gylten began playing basketball when she was young, thanks to a family connection that stemmed back multiple generations.

"I spent most of my time in some type of sport," she said. "I've always been around basketball. Both my parents played basketball, and my grandpa played at University of North Dakota with Phil Jackson."

Gylten is no stranger to success when it comes to athletics. She was a three-time all-conference selection in volleyball, a McDonald's All-American nominee in basketball, and currently holds the St. Thomas Moore school records in assists and steals – not to mention she led her school to four straight state titles. Gylten credit's her success to her experiences in high school.

"It's the mentality I developed," She said. "I show up every game not wanting to lose, I never give up, I always fight. I want to bring that mentality to the U."

While her desire and drive burn brighter than ever, she'll have to wait to prove herself. Gylten is currently rehabbing from injury, which occurred last year in the semi-final game in state tournament.

"I've really just been focusing on myself and my body, trying to get healthy and stronger," she explained.

Coming back from such an injury is a long process, but Gylten has no doubts she'll return to her normal self soon enough. In the meantime, she's enjoying her first year at Utah, while balancing a mix of practice, physical therapy, and schooling.

"High school set my standards high," she said. "We had a really good academic program in high school, but having amazing teammates, coaches, and academic advisors at Utah has really helped me to manage basketball with school."

Despite not getting to play this season, Gylten is preparing herself to take the Pac-12 by storm. And if her high school track record is anything to go off of, the rest of the conference better watch out when she does.