Utah dismisses leading scorer Josh Watkins

As if Utah wasn't struggling enough already in its inaugural Pac-12 season, now the Utes will have to play the remainder of the year without their best player. Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak announced Wednesday that he has kicked guard Josh "Jiggy" Watkins off the team as a result of an undisclosed violation of team rules. Watkins was the Pac-12's fourth-leading scorer at 15.6 points per game and also led the Utes (4-13, 1-4) with 4.8 assists per game. "The integrity of our program as a whole cannot be sacrificed for any individual," Krystkowiak said in a statement. "The well being of our program will always come first. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I really wish Josh well and I hope he remains at Utah to finish his degree." The dismissal of Watkins comes about a month after Krystkowiak reinstated him to the team after suspending him for Utah's home loss to Cal State Fullerton. The Salt Lake City Tribune re...