It’s an exciting time to be a Husky fan. Not only is this year’s team picked near the top of the AAC and expected to return to the NCAA Tournament, but next year’s group will feature one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
Vance Jackson is a part of that class, and he comes to Storrs from the wonderful world of Los Angeles, Calif. as a top-50 prospect.
A Dime Back spoke to him on Wednesday for a hard-hitting discussion that covered everything from the recruiting process to the men’s basketball hair wars.
Here are the highlights:
What was the recruiting process for you like, from start to finish, with UConn?
Coach Kevin Ollie was the first one I heard from, my freshman year. He saw me play and Coach Hobbs started to get in contact with me. My sophomore year I went up there to see Louisville vs. UConn at UConn, when I played at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts. I really fell in love with the atmosphere.
It wasn’t a real visit. I just came to watch the game. I went with Dan Hamilton. He was on my team at the time and it was his official visit. I came with him to watch the basketball game. I saw myself out there playing and fitting in perfectly with Coach Ollie’s system.
My junior year, they came out to see me play a lot and we just kept in contact ever since.
And I know you were at UConn recently, a little before you committed. Can you tell me about that and what sold the program to you?
The person that I was shadowing was Daniel. We were teammates and we’re both from LA. As the visit went on, I was hanging out with everybody. I had a good feel with the team. It felt like family. The facilities, the basketball, everything was just perfect. It felt like home.
Did Hamilton say anything to you or give you any advice that steered you toward UConn?
Coach Ollie separates himself from every coach. The kind of relationship I have with him helped my decision more, especially when Daniel told me what he is like as a coach. That makes me know that’s the real Coach Ollie. It’s not fake.
Did you get the sense with other coaches that they might be fake?
No, hopefully they weren’t fake. I could just tell that Coach Ollie was real. He’s from where I’m from too, so we have a connection there.
Now the important stuff. Who has the best hair on the team?
Right now or next year?
Both.
Well, when I’m there it will be me. Right now, I’m going with Daniel.
When you were at UConn, did you try any of the food on campus?
I went to the famous place with the ice cream. And I don’t know what it’s called, but I also had those little burgers. And I went to the steakhouse. It was ok.
Ed. note: Please withhold your judgment of Vance’s culinary preferences. He’s better than you at basketball.
So no bacon jalepeno mac and cheese?
No.
Any idea what you want to study at UConn?
I want to study business management and maybe communications.
What are your goals for the season?
Win. I want to show people more of my game. But just basically win. Play every game like it’s my last one and not take anything for granted.
Out of everyone in your class that you’ve played against, who have you enjoyed going up against the most?
Right now it would probably be Josh Jackson.
Anything else you want to add?
I’m going to need you to follow me on Instagram and Twitter.
Ed. note: Follow him now, you monsters.
