You Can Stop Worrying, Now Let’s Move On

Over the last couple of days, we’ve seen all four members of UConn’s highly-touted 2016 recruiting class sign their letters of intent. So unless Kevin Ollie leaves after this season (god forbid), Alterique Gilbert, Juwan Durham, Vance Jackson, and Mamadou Diarra will join transfer Terry Larrier and this year’s holdovers for the 2016-17 season. But will they have any more help?

The answer is: we don’t know. As of right now, UConn has at least one vacant scholarship for next season, but it’s possible that all three of Amida Brimah, Daniel Hamilton, and Rodney Purvis leave after the season, leaving the Huskies with four open scholarships and a thin bench.

But what are the options? Let’s take a look at who is still out there.

2016 Open Offers:

G Bruce Brown – Brown was a heavy target for Kevin Ollie during last season, when the UConn head coach was pushing for Brown to reclassify to 2015. When that option never materialized, it appears that UConn’s interest in the athletic wing from Wakefield, MA fizzled out. It’s too bad, because adding an extra guard will be a major priority if Purvis doesn’t come back for his final season of eligibility.

G Marques Bolden – This Texas big man is a consensus top-40 player, and would be a great addition to this recruiting class, particularly if Amida Brimah departs. Unfortunately, Bolden hasn’t been hearing from UConn much recently, and he appears to be headed to Kansas or Duke.

G Hamidou Diallo – He’s still listed as a 2017 recruit, but reports indicate that he is currently on-pace to graduate in 2016, so reclassifying definitely seems to be a possibility. This, I think, would be the first choice of Kevin Ollie and the folks here at ADimeBack.com. Diallo is a stud, a top-10 recruit in the 2017 class, who could probably start right away as a freshman. He’s best friends with Diarra, and it’s possible that the big man’s presence could push him to reclassify.

G Makai Ashton-Langford – Ashton-Langford is also a 2017 recruit who may be a reclassification candidate. He can play either guard spot, but seems to prefer being on the ball. He seems to be a heavy UConn lean at the moment as well, so if it’s possible that he can move up a class, he may choose to do that.

Other 2016 Options:

These are undeclared players in the 2016 class who have not yet received offers from UConn. It would be difficult to start recruiting any highly regarded players at this point, but if the right fit can be found, perhaps Kevin Ollie gets lucky.

G Malik Monk – Monk would be the longest of longshots, a top-10 recruit deep in SEC country being heavily recruited by Kentucky. Monk is an Arkansas native, so the Razorbacks may still have a shot, but he would be an ideal fit for the Huskies if they don’t want to throw Alterique Gilbert to the wolves on day 1.

G/F Rawle Alkins – This swingman appears to be an NC State lean, but he’s an NYC guard, so it’s possible that a member of the roster who is familiar with the NC State program could talk him out of the Wolf Pack. UConn has had some contact with him in the past, and they’ve got an excellent history with NYC guards, so it’s worth a shot, I’d think.

C Udoka Azubuike – The Huskies seemed interested in this behemoth early on, but the scholarship offer never came. It seems likely that Kevin Ollie and his staff got indications that they weren’t going to be a factor, but in the absence of other options, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to try to get involved here again.

C Taurean Thompson – Another New England player, Thompson is currently attending Brewster Academy, a school that Jalen Adams led to a championship last year. Thompson appears to be a heavy Syracuse lean, so this is also a bit of a longshot, but the Adams connection might give Ollie a foothold here.

F Alpha Diallo – If that last name looks familiar, it should. Alpha is the cousin of another UConn target, 2017 guard Hamidou Diallo. Alpha isn’t the same level of prospect, but he’s a consensus top-150 player, and he’d provide good depth and athleticism on the wing. VCU appears to be the leader here, but they’re small-time enough that this could possibly be overcome.

G/F Chuba Ohams – Another Putnam Science Academy product, Ohams has stayed under the radar for quite a while at this point, which could work out to UConn’s advantage. His recruitment still appears to be wide open, and the presence of teammate Mamadou Diarra might make him more interested in the Huskies. Ohams is a versatile player with above-average athleticism, and would be a solid addition to this class.