Jalen Adams Talks Commitment
For most people Mondays are always negative. However, yesterday coach Ollie had tons of extra pep in his step, to host 2015 SF Derrick Jones nonetheless for a visit, as did every big UConn fan. 2015 PG Jalen Adams, who some have called Shabazz 2.0, decided to verbally commit to UConn. He broke the news by tweeting out, “I Have Officially Decided That I Will Continue To Pursue My Dream At The University Of Connecticut And Play For Coach Kevin Ollie #Huskies.”
Hailing from Roxbury, Massachusetts the superbly talented lead guard has been rising tons in the rankings this summer. His AAU team, Mass Rivals, was undefeated in the Adidas Gauntlet with him playing for them. Adams averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in his nine games on the gauntlet this summer. He’s only getting better at this point and he’s the perfect fit for coach Ollie’s offensive style which was one of the main reasons why he committed to UConn. What he said factored into his decision was, “The coaching staff and definitely the style of play. I just knew I’d fit well in the style of play and it’s not to far from home. It would be a good fit for me.”
Eric Bossi describes Adams as, “A gifted scorer with a big-time first step and loads of confidence, Adams is more combo guard than true point guard. But, he sees the court very well and if his teammates get open, he will find them.” Adams describes himself similarly saying, “I’m a scorer and a person that can create for others.” UConn has done great with point guards and he certainly has the looks of being the next. I also asked him what the staff was telling him he was going to come in and do, “Just come in and pretty much lead the team.”
He also mentioned the coaching staff a a major reason why he committed. Coach Ollie has been without a doubt the top guy on UConn’s wish list. Ollie and his staff had been following everywhere he has gone for the past year and there’s no doubt there’s a great relationship between the two. “Coach Ollie is just the man, plus he’s been in the NBA for several years. He’s played with some of the best players in the game and he knows what it takes to get there and how to stay there. His staff just had my best at heart and I felt a close connection with them,” he explained.
Being from Massachusetts and attending school at Cushing Academy it’s not a far ride to campus which means it’s easy for him to take a visit. He’s been on campus many times including very recently and for this past years First Night, UConn’s Midnight Madness. I caught up with him after First Night and he had this to say about it, “I had a good time. It was fun. I really liked the intros and the scrimmage.” Well Jalen, in a year and a few months you will be one of the players out on the court for the first time in UConn blue and white. As for the campus in general Jalen described it as, “It’s beautiful, campus is big, it’s like a town. The facilities are top notch and the new practice facility is beautiful.”
Jalen also has something to say to UConn fans that they will definitely like. His message, “2015 is going to be a special year.”
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