Gach Returns to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – First-year head coach Craig Smith announced the return of Both Gach to the Utah men's basketball program for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
 
"I'm extremely excited to announce that Both will be joining our Runnin' Utes basketball family," said Smith. "Obviously with this being his second stint, Both brings a knowledge of what our Utah brand is all about. He brings size, length and elite athleticism to our backcourt in addition to his wealth of experience. I've recruited Both at each stop and you know what they say, third times a charm!"
 
The signing of Gach now makes him the sixth signee for Smith since his arrival joining David Jenkins Jr., Marco Anthony, Gabe Madsen, Rollie Worster and Bostyn Holt.
 
The former Ute returns after spending the 2020-21 season at Minnesota where he averaged 6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting .401 from the field and .808 from the stripe. The 6-6 guard played in all 29 games for the Golden Gophers and started in 16 of them while averaging 22.7 minutes of action on the floor.
 
Gach started his collegiate career on The Hill and played two seasons before transferring closer to home in Minnesota. In his first two collegiate season, the Austin, Minn., product averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a Ute.
 
His sophomore season saw him average 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists while checking in as the team's second-leading scorer. Gach's final season as a Ute saw him become the third player in program history to record a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Mississippi Valley State. He then helped the Utes upset #6 Kentucky in Las Vegas, scoring 14 points with six rebounds and three assists while shooting 5-of-10 from the field – including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. In the final game of the regular-season, Gach hit the game-tying basket to send the game into overtime before hitting three-straight free throws with 0.6 seconds left on the clock to secure the win and post a career-high 28 points against Colorado.
 
Gach averaged 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists with a .472 shooting clip in his first season with the Runnin' Utes program.
 
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
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