Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round) on March 10, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 73
Final Score
Men's Basketball
66
vs No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round)
73
The University of Utah Athletics
Featuring the Runnin’ Utes: Zach Keller
12/7/2024 1:06 PM | Men's Basketball
One of the newest additions to the Runnin' Utes adds strength and size in the interior
One of the staples of the Runnin' Utes success over the course of the program's history has been the dominance of the big men. As a native to Colorado, Zach Keller jumps the Rocky Mountains to Salt Lake City to continue his collegiate career with big shoes to fill.
Keller was commanding during his high school career at ThunderRidge in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Keller finished his time in high school winning back-to-back 5A state championships while being named Colorado 5A Player of the Year and First-Team All-State in his final season. One of Keller's favorite pieces of his two-time title run was more than just hoisting the trophy, but it was those he did it with.
"My team consisted of my group of friends," Keller said. "We were all in the same grade. I think we had nine seniors, so just be able to do it with those guys was probably the best part."
To cap off an exceptional final season, Keller was a McDonalds All-American and Circuit Academic All-American nominee and became the top-ranked recruit out of Colorado according to 247Sports, ESPN and On3. Even though the title was a prestigious honor, Keller stayed focused on hooping.
"I didn't really think about being the number one player too much. I thought it was a really great experience getting the exposure I had coming out of high school and all the offers I received gave me a lot of choices. But I don't think I dwelled on being number one or anything like that."
Keller committed to play college ball at Wake Forest, spending his first two seasons with the Demon Deacons before hitting the transfer portal. During his time there, Keller recorded a career-high 11 points against La Salle his freshman season and captured a season-high 10 points versus the Runnin' Utes at the Charleston Classic last year. The double-digit figure allows Keller to look back with a laugh about posting a solid game against his new team.
"It's ironic in some ways, a little coincidental that it was against Utah, and I ended up coming here out of the transfer portal."
Less than a month after the season ended, Keller committed to the Runnin' Utes with a chance to add some size and depth to the big man position.
"I was recruited here three times, technically, one with Coach Krystkowiak, and then Craig [Smith] out of high school, and then again in the transfer portal. Utah was one of the first schools to call me, so I thought it made sense. I had the relationship with Coach Smith and it was close to home, so that was good fit."
Keller began the season on the bench due to an injury but made his first appearance against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 26. With less than a minute left in the game, Keller knocked down a jumper and completed the and-1 opportunity to score his first points as a Ute. Despite missing the first five games, the big man is ready to earn his way into the rotation.
"Just get my feet under me. Obviously, I'm a little step behind in terms of team chemistry and all that, but I'm learning in practice. Hopefully I can carry that into games by just trying to do what I can to win."
Zach Keller looks to continue competing for the Runnin Utes as the Gaels of Saint Mary's visit the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Keller was commanding during his high school career at ThunderRidge in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Keller finished his time in high school winning back-to-back 5A state championships while being named Colorado 5A Player of the Year and First-Team All-State in his final season. One of Keller's favorite pieces of his two-time title run was more than just hoisting the trophy, but it was those he did it with.
"My team consisted of my group of friends," Keller said. "We were all in the same grade. I think we had nine seniors, so just be able to do it with those guys was probably the best part."
To cap off an exceptional final season, Keller was a McDonalds All-American and Circuit Academic All-American nominee and became the top-ranked recruit out of Colorado according to 247Sports, ESPN and On3. Even though the title was a prestigious honor, Keller stayed focused on hooping.
"I didn't really think about being the number one player too much. I thought it was a really great experience getting the exposure I had coming out of high school and all the offers I received gave me a lot of choices. But I don't think I dwelled on being number one or anything like that."
Keller committed to play college ball at Wake Forest, spending his first two seasons with the Demon Deacons before hitting the transfer portal. During his time there, Keller recorded a career-high 11 points against La Salle his freshman season and captured a season-high 10 points versus the Runnin' Utes at the Charleston Classic last year. The double-digit figure allows Keller to look back with a laugh about posting a solid game against his new team.
"It's ironic in some ways, a little coincidental that it was against Utah, and I ended up coming here out of the transfer portal."
Less than a month after the season ended, Keller committed to the Runnin' Utes with a chance to add some size and depth to the big man position.
"I was recruited here three times, technically, one with Coach Krystkowiak, and then Craig [Smith] out of high school, and then again in the transfer portal. Utah was one of the first schools to call me, so I thought it made sense. I had the relationship with Coach Smith and it was close to home, so that was good fit."
Keller began the season on the bench due to an injury but made his first appearance against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 26. With less than a minute left in the game, Keller knocked down a jumper and completed the and-1 opportunity to score his first points as a Ute. Despite missing the first five games, the big man is ready to earn his way into the rotation.
"Just get my feet under me. Obviously, I'm a little step behind in terms of team chemistry and all that, but I'm learning in practice. Hopefully I can carry that into games by just trying to do what I can to win."
Zach Keller looks to continue competing for the Runnin Utes as the Gaels of Saint Mary's visit the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, Dec. 7.
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