8/18: Recruiting Update

Derrick Jones, rare lefty recruit (Dennis Nett | Syracuse.com)
Derrick Jones, rare lefty recruit (Dennis Nett | Syracuse.com)
Derrick Jones, rare lefty recruit (Dennis Nett | Syracuse.com)

 

There’s doings-a-transpiring. Over the past few weeks, several big name high school players have narrowed their focus or declared their intentions as the recruiting class of 2015 starts to crystalize. Here’s some news you might’ve missed:

  • 5-star center Chance Comanche listed UConn along with six four others. Comanche is one of several big men that UConn is focusing heavily on. Landing him would be a major recruiting victory. (Update: Comanche has an in-home visit with UConn scheduled for Sept. 21, thanks to @B_WRecruiting). (#21, Rivals)
  • Derrick Jones, one of UConn’s top targets for the 3-spot listed UConn in his Top-9, granting the Huskies the first crack at a home visit. Jones is exactly the type of player that the Huskies need to fill the middle of the lineup. (#33, Rivals)
  • The other main target at the 3 for UConn is Chris Clarke from Virginia. The Huskies have extended Clarke a scholarship offer, who says he will announce his list at the end of the summer. (#64, Rivals)
  • Steve Enoch, a 4-star power forward from Norwalk, CT, is planning a campus visit to Storrs next month. UConn has been pursuing Enoch hard for months, but as his profile has risen, Enoch has been attracting a lot of attention from other perennial powerhouses like Kansas and Louisville. Official A Dime Back prediction has him committing to the Huskies before First Night. (#54, Rivals)
  • Georgian guard Malik Beasley officially listed UConn in his Top-8.  Beasley’s stock has been steadily rising, and UConn seems a bit unlikely of a landing spot due to their surplus of  guards, but you never know. (#60, Rivals)
  • Jean Marc Christ Koumadje, a 7’4″ human being, listed UConn in his Top-3. Koudadje is raw (generous), but appears to possess a bit more athleticism and coordination than you’d expect from such a gigantic being. Koumadje (and Djery Baptiste, 6’11” 245lbs) are serious projects, and appear to be UConn’s Plans B/C after Enoch, Comanche, top recruit Diamond Stone (announcing in November) and long-shot Josh Sharma.
  • Swingman Dwayne Bacon, who picked up an offer from UConn in 2013, did not include the Huskies on his list. It seemed mutual interest had been rising the past few weeks, but it was apparently too little, too late for UConn. (#22, Rivals)
  • Former UConn commit Prince Ali has committed to UCLA. Ali’s strong play this summer attracted a lot of attention, and the thought of competing for playing time at UConn led to Ali changing coasts. A loss, but not a huge one, as Adams seems a better long-term fit for the program. (#27, Rivals)
  • Over in the A Dime Back Forum, Peter listed a bunch of potential 5-yr seniors for the upcoming 2014-2015 season. No one is particularly inspiring, and none have been tied to UConn yet, but it’s a list worst perusing.

As you most likely know, UConn’s only current incoming recruit for the 2015-2016 season is guard Jalen Adams (watch his new mixtape). With (at least) three scholarships available, coach Kevin Ollie and staff will probably target two of the aforementioned big men along with a small forward — hopefully one with enough size that Daniel Hamilton can slide into more of a shooting guard/swingman role.

More news will invariably trickle out over the next few months. Stay tuned.

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