BYU Basketball Roster: F Luke Worthington tweets intent to serve mission

BYU sophomore forward Luke Worthington tweeted his intent to serve a mission, presumably following the conclusion of the 2014-15 season and school year, Monday morning:

I will be serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

— Luke Worthington (@worthington41) February 23, 2015

First, good for Worthington in following that desire to serve. It's never easy, but especially after already going to college for two years. Congrats on the decision, Luke.

As for BYU's roster, the news helps clear up some what seems to be a never-ending scholarship crunch for Dave Rose. BYU has withheld senior Nate Austin from games, who has missed action since Dec. 10, with the intent to secure a medical hardship waiver to reclaim his senior season. That action would have put the Cougars one over the limit on allowed scholarships, which is 13.

Worthington's departure to serve a mission would clear up the necessary space if the roster otherwise continues as is -- which includes Jake Toolson and Corbin Kaufusi remaining on the roster as walk-ons, which may or may not be what happens when next season's opener arrives.

Perhaps Kaufusi agrees to play one more season as a walk-on before getting a scholarship. I am also not familiar with Toolson's potential to still serve a mission, or Rose may have a plan to get him on scholarship. With four school years already paid for, Austin may have agreed to return as a walk-on. Maybe one of the returning missionaries will be asked to grayshirt. Time will tell.

The presumed roster picture for 2015-16 as it stands now would look like this (walk-ons with an asterisk):

Seniors
Kyle Collinsworth
Chase Fischer
Nate Austin
Jordan Ellis*

Juniors
Frank Bartley
Kyle Davis

Sophomores
Cory Calvert
Jake Toolson*
Isaac Neilson
Jamal Aytes
Corbin Kaufusi*

Freshmen
Nick Emery
Jordan Chatman
Zac Seljaas
Jakob Hartsock
Braiden Shaw
Cooper Ainge*