Utah Runnin' Utes head coach Alex Jensen enters his first season at the helm of his alma mater. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Utah basketball reaches out to top-10 2027 recruit

Originally posted on Utah Utes on SI | By Cole Forsman | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 9:04 PM ET

As recruiting restrictions on high school sophomores lifted this past weekend, the Utah men's basketball program reportedly seized an opportunity to lay some groundwork with the top-ranked center in the 2027 class.

According to League Ready's Sam Kayser, the Runnin' Utes and several other power conference teams reached out to five-star prospect Paul Osaruyi after the initial contact period for all high school sophomores went into effect Sunday.

Duke, Houston, BYU and UCLA were also among the schools that recently contacted the 6-foot-10 forward out of Bella Vista Prep High School (Arizona). The Bruins offered on Osaruyi in late May, joining Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Cal State Northridge and Oklahoma State in the early mix.

2027 5⭐️ Paul Osaruyi has heard from the following schools since Sunday morning, he tells @LeagueRDY:

Duke
Arkansas
Virginia
Houston
Cincinnati
Syracuse
BYU
Illinois
USC
Georgetown
Colorado
Utah
UCLA
Texas
+more

Osaruyi is a 6-foot-10 forward who ranks as the #3 overall player… pic.twitter.com/KYzUnmkOPr
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) June 17, 2025

Osaruyi told On3 during last month's live evaluation period that he went on a couple of unofficial visits to North Carolina, Duke, NC State and Wake Forest.

Osaruyi was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 8 recruit nationally and the No. 2 center in the class of 2027. He checked in at No. 4 on ESPN60 and was tabbed as the No. 1 center by the outlet's recruiting database. He showcased his elite athleticism and defensive prowess in front of several college coaches during the Nike EYBL circuit last month.

Utah offered the top-ranked player in the 2027 class, Baba Oladotun, on May 27. The Runnin' Utes reportedly reached out to four-star DeMarcus Henry and top-35 prospect Jalen Davis over the weekend as well.

During a contact period, college coaches can receive calls and messages from college coaches. Recruits can take official visits starting Aug. 1, leading up to their junior year of high school.