Four-star guard James Bouknight has committed to UConn, he told ESPN today. Ranked 78 in the nation by 247, the shooting guard currently playing for the PSA Cardinals decided to make Storrs his home after completing his official visit there this weekend.
This is the first 2019 commit for coach Dan Hurley, and I think I can speak on behalf of all of UConn Nation when I say THANK YOU OMG THANK JONATHAN FINALLY. It’s been more than a little unsettling to have exactly zero recruits this far into 2018, and Bouknight is a beaucoup get for Hurley’s staff, particularly Kimani Young, whose relationship with Bouknight extends back to Young’s time at Minnesota.
I’m 100% committed to The University of Connecticut 🐺 #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/IYGIadMLR2
— James (@jam3s210) September 18, 2018
“I had already built a relationship with [assistant] Coach Kimani [Young] when he was at Minnesota and that continued when he came to UConn with Coach Hurley,” Bouknight told ESPN. “He stayed in touch with me throughout my injury process and that meant a lot to me and my family. We trusted him.
“Then when I got a chance to build a relationship with Coach Hurley, his track record and pedigree as a coach, along with UConn’s winning tradition and history of putting guys in the NBA, it was all I wanted in my college choice.”
Bouknight is a strong athlete, long(ish) at 6’5″ with an ability to get to the basket, who will be expected to contribute immediately. Given Hurley’s track record with guards, this seems to be a good fit, though Bouknight could also spend time at the three. UConn is still waiting for consensus Top-10 Precious Achiuwa, as well as Kofi Cockburn, and guard Isaiah Wong to make decisions. But Bouknight is an excellent starting point for what needs to be a great 2019 class for Hurley.
