By Robbie Loeb

University of Utah Head Coach Larry Krystkowiak has asked small forward Josh Hearlihy ’12 to release himself from a scholarship offered by the Utes, according to a Harvard-Westlake press release. Hearlihy said he intends to sign papers that will void his letter of intent this week.

The former Utah commit said he will join his teammate of four years, Zena Edosomwan ’12, as a post-graduate student at Massachusetts preparatory school Northfield Mount Hermon next year. Hearlihy will reclassify for the 2013 recruiting class and search for new scholarship opportunities next year.

“I was very excited about going to Utah when I signed my letter of intent in November,” Hearlihy said in the press release. “However, the coaching staff has reconsidered their commitment to me and has asked to be released from their obligation. Given the situation at Utah, I’m concerned about putting myself in an environment where I’m not wanted.”

When Hearlihy signed his national letter of intent, he was required to stop listening to scholarship offers from other schools and was guaranteed a one-year scholarship at Utah.

“I turned down scholarship offers and stopped exploring other options when I signed,” he said. “It is still my dream to play college basketball and I will continue to work hard every day to make that dream a reality.”

Prior to his September verbal commitment to Utah, Hearlihy was considering joining Santa Clara, San Diego and Portland, according to ESPN.

In his second year at the helm, Krystkowiak has had no trouble cutting ties with players as six scholarship players on last year’s team were released from their scholarships. The Utes will now have three scholarships to offer for next year.

Hearlihy missed six weeks this season due to a partially torn patella tendon, which did not require surgery. He returned for the final six games of the season and the playoffs and averaged 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.