Recruits React to First Night

Friday night UConn fans from all over the state piled in to the basketball capital of the world. UConn’s men’s basketball team had their past, present, future, and hopeful future in the building. Both of UConn’s commits, Jalen Adams and Steven Enoch, were in Gampel with many other recruits in 2016, 2017, and 2018. On a night where championship banners were unveiled, thirteen championship trophies were displayed, the best three point shooter of all time was in the house, and the current men’s and women’s teams put on a show, there’s no doubt the recruits in the house were impressed. Here’s a look at who was here and some reactions from the recruits:

2015:
-Jalen Adams (PG): The explosive five star guard who committed this summer was on his official visit this weekend.
-Steven Enoch (PF): The four star big man committed to UConn last month really enjoyed the night. “It was great. The team and everyone involved put on a really good show for us. I enjoyed every moment of it. I can’t wait [until next year], but at the same time I can only imagine how hard they work day in and day out. It’ll take a lot of time for me to reach the level they play on the court.”

2016:
-Arkel Ager (SG): Ager was at last years First Night as well. He’s a recruit that UConn has been keeping their eyes on and he could become a bigger target depending on what happens with others. Here’s what he had to say on the night, “It was nice, I enjoyed myself. I liked all the way from the opening to the game and when coach Ollie gave us a nice speech in the practice facility.”
-V.J. King (SF): King’s a polished five star wing that made his first trip to Storrs this weekend. He was at First Night Friday night then was also back on campus for part of the weekend. King is a major target for the staff in 2016.
-Wenyen Gabriel (SF): He’s another recruit who UConn’s keeping an eye on. Like all the recruits he also had a very good time. “First Night was great. The new practice facility is great and the gym was unbelievable. Playing there must be so fun. I was happy that I could be there with all the Rivals [His and Adam’s AAU program] family,” and on his favorite part of the night, “It has to be when Ray Allen came into the gym because I’ve never seen him in person before,” he explained.
-Omari Spellman (PF): The powerful big man is a top twenty player in his class. UConn has been on him for a little while now.

2017:
-Tremont Waters (PG): The talented four star Connecticut native received an offer from UConn this summer and has been on campus multiple times before Friday night. He’s a big target in 2017.
-Nate Pierre-Louis (PG): Another four star floor general that was in the house for First Night. Pierre-Louis came away extremely impressed saying, “It was great. I loved it. It is really the basketball capital of the world. I appreciate UConn for offering me and letting me experience such a good night. The beginning when they were showing all the championships was the best. When they had the short clips of the dual championships that was emotional.” Nate was also able to get a good look at the new practice facility. “It was great. Beautiful facility. Top notch. Coach Ollie gave us a great speech about family and UConn. It was a great experience,” he explained.
-Hamadou Diallo (PF): UConn got their first look at him this past week and saw enough to invite him to First Night. “The night was really great. I had a good time and enjoyed myself. My favorite part was the tour of the new practice facility and seeing the best three point shooter in the game of basketball was great as well. [On the practice facility] I like that they had a great training room, a great new basketball court, and the academic room was nice. I really liked everything about the practice facility,” Diallo stated.
-Zack Brown (C): A top five player in his class, the talented center made his way up from Miami, Florida to attend First Night. He, like V.J. King, stayed for part of the weekend as well. Zack may have came away the most impressed from his visit out of all the recruits. “UConn’s First Night was exciting. I had never been on a college campus like that before. It was beautiful and I was treated with such great hospitality. I enjoyed the game and seeing some of the players in action. The size of the players and the speed of the game showed me that I have a lot of work to do. I love how the team plays together. My high school coach (Jacob Shaw) develops me as a conventional big man. I like UConn for what they did in the past with the big men. Defensively they work almost the same system as my high school. The practice facilities were great. I like that both men’s and women’s programs don’t have to share the same court. There is a lot of history and trophies when walking in there. They like to win. Very impressive,” explain the big man.

2018:
-Louis King (PF): UConn is impressed with him already before he’s even played a game in high school. He’s certainly a name to watch in the next few years.
-Nazreon Reid (C): Another player the staff is extremely impressed with and has already offered. Reid is already considered a top five player in his class before playing a high school game.

Here are some other recruits that attended First Night that the staff is keeping an eye on.
2016- Saul Phiri, Unique McLean, Kashaun Hicks, Tyrique Jones, Mamadou Diarra, Chris Baldwin, and Samuel Japheth-Mathias.
2017- Makai Ashton-Langford.
2018- Aaron Clarke.

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