2025 Recruits You Covet

[awy]

seems like pope is recruiting reibe quite aggressively. need to lock him up.

 

[DogMania]

I flat out love Thomas. One of the top all around talented players in this year's class.

Including Thomas, most of the recruits we've offered we're going up against a number of top programs which isn't surprising, but does bring concern. Even after coming off the 2023 National Championship, Hurley and staff loaded up with a bunch of great players from the portal and 2024 recruiting class, (Liam McNeeley & tranfers decided post 2034 NC), they did lose two of their top targets Flagg and Ngongba to Dook last fall.

I hope our back-to-back NCs and all of the Staff returning, that we'll win most of the battles for the recruits the staff priorizes. Recruits looking to jump to the league after their freshman campaign, want a promise for specific playing time and/or top NIL might end up elsewhere. The ones that place winning and development as top priorities are the one's they'll have the best shot at landing.

I don't know how the Squid, Scheyer and Self cast such compelling opportunities, but recruits always seem to rave about these coaches and their programs, especially after visiting their schools.

Maybe this year, Hurley will out recruit them all for their primary targets.

 

[Umami Zen]

Thomas
Lewis or Adams
Ament or Bundalo
Reibe

*Consider Mullins and Dybansta attractive targets but long shots for different reasons

 

[444JR]

 

[444JR]

Players UConn staff has offered/targeted the most:
1. AJ Dybantsa - 6'9 small forward
7. Meleek Thomas - 6'4 point guard
8. Nate Ament - 6'9 small forward
10. Darius Acuff - 6'2 point guard
18. Darius Adams - 6'5 shooting guard
25. Niko Bundalo - 6'9 power forward
26. Eric Reibe - 7'0 center
30. Braylon Mullins - 6'4 shooting guard
39. Acaden Lewis - 6'2 point guard

Other names I've seen mentioned:
6. Chris Cenac Jr - 6'10 center
22. Dwayne Aristode - 6'7 small forward


ESPN's ranking / player's name / listed height / listed position

 

[FreeKlaiber]

I originally wanted a portal big to replace Samson in the 2 headed C rotation for next year, but after watching Reibe tape, we'd be lucky to get him, and I think would be a great fit in our offensive sets.

Really nice lefty stroke from 3, pick and pop for days, inside/outside game with legitimate size for the screen game.

I am positively biased towards well rounded european trained players (especially bigs not named enosch), and am assuming Reibe is a good passer too, although havent seen enough tape. Im afraid he might end up at Creighton (im a big McDermott fan)

"As for factors that will weigh heavily in his ultimate decision, Reibe is clear on the situation he’s looking for at the next level.

“I want to be somewhere where I’m not locked into one specific position, so I’ll be able to use my full skill set,” Reibe said. “A family environment is important, academics is important, and I want to have freedom, but I also want to be developed. I want to be at a place that will help me become an NBA player, and I want to play right away. Those are the big ones for me.”

“I’m very versatile, I can play inside or outside, I can pass, I feel like I can shoot it, bring it up, defensive rebound, or play out of the post. My physicality and defense have improved a lot this AAU season, I can tell"

 

[HooperScooper]

Players UConn staff has offered/targeted the most:
1. AJ Dybantsa - 6'9 small forward
7. Meleek Thomas - 6'4 point guard
8. Nate Ament - 6'9 small forward
10. Darius Acuff - 6'2 point guard
18. Darius Adams - 6'5 shooting guard
25. Niko Bundalo - 6'9 power forward
26. Eric Reibe - 7'0 center
30. Braylon Mullins - 6'4 shooting guard
39. Acaden Lewis - 6'2 point guard

Other names I've seen mentioned:
6. Chris Cenac Jr - 6'10 center
22. Dwayne Aristode - 6'7 small forward


ESPN's ranking / player's name / listed height / listed position

You can add Cenac to your list since UConn offered.

 

[bendm]

Players UConn staff has offered/targeted the most:
1. AJ Dybantsa - 6'9 small forward
7. Meleek Thomas - 6'4 point guard
8. Nate Ament - 6'9 small forward
10. Darius Acuff - 6'2 point guard
18. Darius Adams - 6'5 shooting guard
25. Niko Bundalo - 6'9 power forward
26. Eric Reibe - 7'0 center
30. Braylon Mullins - 6'4 shooting guard
39. Acaden Lewis - 6'2 point guard

Other names I've seen mentioned:
6. Chris Cenac Jr - 6'10 center
22. Dwayne Aristode - 6'7 small forward


ESPN's ranking / player's name / listed height / listed position

247 Composite Rank for 2025 Recruits (offers & interest):

1. AJ Dybansta, SF, UT
5. Meleek Thomas, CG, GA
8. Darius Acuff, PG, IMG FL
14. Nate Ament, PF, VA
15. Brayden Burries, SG, CA
16. Trey McKenney, SF, MI
17. Chris Cenac, C, MO
18. Darius Adams, SG, IN
19. Cayden Boozer, PG, FL
20. Dwayne Aristode, SF, NH
21. Tounde Yessoufou, SF, CA
24. Niko Bundalo, PF, OH
33. Kiyan Anthony, SG, NY
41. Eric Reibe, C, MD
49. Acaden Lewis, CG, DC
75. Braylon Mullins, SG, IN
100. Badara Diakite, C, CT
103. Jaylen Harrell, SF, MA
113. Preston Fowler, SF, CT
168. Jacob Ross, SF, NY

 

[444JR]

247 Composite Rank for 2025 Recruits (offers & interest):

1. AJ Dybansta, SF, UT
5. Meleek Thomas, CG, GA
8. Darius Acuff, PG, IMG FL
14. Nate Ament, PF, VA
15. Brayden Burries, SG, CA
16. Trey McKenney, SF, MI
17. Chris Cenac, C, MO
18. Darius Adams, SG, IN
19. Cayden Boozer, PG, FL
20. Dwayne Aristode, SF, NH
21. Tounde Yessoufou, SF, CA
24. Niko Bundalo, PF, OH
33. Kiyan Anthony, SG, NY
41. Eric Reibe, C, MD
49. Acaden Lewis, CG, DC
75. Braylon Mullins, SG, IN
100. Badara Diakite, C, CT
103. Jaylen Harrell, SF, MA
113. Preston Fowler, SF, CT
168. Jacob Ross, SF, NY

Don’t think we’re pursuing Kaylen Harrell any longer

 

[Edward Sargent]

Cooper flag........




I joke....lol

Hell if you are going that route do we have enough NIL to get Jayson Tatum?

 

[Peacefrog]

How good could any of these guys be when Bryant hasn't bothered to offer?

 

[auror]

In order for me:
Dybantsa
Cenac
Ament
Mullins
Thomas
Adams
Lewis

 

[awy]

cenac is a special athlete and could be a hugely impact guy if developed for two years, but he's prob OND. pretty dominant athlete even at the top 100 camp.

for winning impact I think Reibe is better in the UConn system

 

[TheChamps990411]

It looks like 2 guards (replacing Diarra & our open scholly) & I would expect 2 front court players (replacing Johnson & expectation of Alex) Doubt we recruit a fifth because it is too early to expect 1 & done from Liam.

My first choice is Meleek Thomas / Braylon Mullins but I sort of expect Mullins to stay in the midwest and Darius Adams to be guard #2 and that is great. Admittedly I still haven't really watched Darius Acuff and Acaden Lewis is a fine player. Meleek Thomas +1.

In the front court any 2 of Bundalo, Ament, & Reibe would be incredible.

Debantsa

 

[ctchamps]

In order for me:
Dybantsa
Cenac
Ament
Mullins
Thomas
Adams
Lewis

Interesting. Almost every poster list Thomas as their first preference. Yet you list him fifth and have Mullins ahead of him. Care to elaborate why this is your list?

 

[auror]

Interesting. Almost every poster list Thomas as their first preference. Yet you list him fifth and have Mullins ahead of him. Care to elaborate why this is your list?

I think skilled bigs/ big wings with NBA athleticism are rare and extremely valuable and should be prioritized. Not just run and jump bigs, but guys with actual skill. That's Dybantsa, Cenac, and Ament. That's just kind of its own tier.

I'm probably too harsh on Thomas. He can do it all. He'd have to play differently than he does in high school/AAU where he is really iso-focused and takes a ton of pull up, off the dribble midrange jumpers, long floaters, and insane deep 3s. But Hurley should be able to make it happen. He's not deficient in any relevant skills (he's a better shooter off the catch than Castle, for example). But he's also likely a 1 and done. I worry he'll have a year a bit like Keyonte George did for Baylor and then leave.

Whereas I think Mullins we could sell on 2 years and he's more plug and play into our offense. I think the movement shooter/off screen cutter role is incredibly important on the team and he fits that archetype the best of the freshman options. In overall value, Thomas could be a better version of junior year Newton as a freshman but we likely don't get senior year Newton. Whereas we can probably get 85% of 5th year Cam as a sophomore with Mullins.

It's close to me. I like Adams in that similar role to Mullins, but he just seems a little less coordinated and needs more work on his footwork so I'd take the more talented Thomas for sure.

 

[HooperScooper]

Not sure what these 2 said about UConn, for anyone who has a On3 subscription. I should probably just get a subscription.

5-star SF Nate Ament goes in depth on UNC, Duke, UConn, Virginia, Tennessee, Michigan, and Kentucky

On3's Jamie Shaw caught up with five-star small forward Nate Ament to discuss his recruitment and to break down schools.

www.on3.com

5-star PF Chris Cenac discusses the latest with his recruitment

On3's Jamie Shaw caught up with five-star power forward Chris Cenac to discuss the latest with his recruitment.

www.on3.com

 

[controlfade]

AJ is a generational talent
M. Thomas

I personally do not want a team of One and Done, it’s been proven it doesn’t work in the current system. That being said, if anyone could pull it off it would be Hurley and his staff .

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Ament

 

[awy]

 

[huskiesouth]

I originally wanted a portal big to replace Samson in the 2 headed C rotation for next year, but after watching Reibe tape, we'd be lucky to get him, and I think would be a great fit in our offensive sets.

Really nice lefty stroke from 3, pick and pop for days, inside/outside game with legitimate size for the screen game.

I am positively biased towards well rounded european trained players (especially bigs not named enosch), and am assuming Reibe is a good passer too, although havent seen enough tape. Im afraid he might end up at Creighton (im a big McDermott fan)

"As for factors that will weigh heavily in his ultimate decision, Reibe is clear on the situation he’s looking for at the next level.

“I want to be somewhere where I’m not locked into one specific position, so I’ll be able to use my full skill set,” Reibe said. “A family environment is important, academics is important, and I want to have freedom, but I also want to be developed. I want to be at a place that will help me become an NBA player, and I want to play right away. Those are the big ones for me.”

“I’m very versatile, I can play inside or outside, I can pass, I feel like I can shoot it, bring it up, defensive rebound, or play out of the post. My physicality and defense have improved a lot this AAU season, I can tell"

Lots of ‘me’ not a lot of team or winning

 

[awy]

he's a winning player. they want basketball junkies who are serious about improving.

 

[Mr. French]

I now want Ament much more than any other big/F…just vibes and game, nothing else.

I was more on the guards and indifferent to which bigs, and still always focus more on our guards…but he’s become my #1 want at F.

I’d really love Lewis, Thomas and Ament.

 

[uconnbill]

This would be my top 4 if I had my choice. I think Mullins can play 2/3

Meleek Thomas, CG, GA
Nate Ament, PF, VA
Eric Reibe, C, MD
Braylon Mullins, SG, IN
My next four
Dybansta, SF, UT
I love his game and without a doubt with is a one and done but is the best in the class
Darius Acuff, PG, IMG FL
He is an excellent player and not the selfish player some have said on here.
Niko Bundalo, PF, OH
A big body who has had a good summer and would help down low.
33. Kiyan Anthony, SG,
I just to see Carmelo root for UConn and yes he is a good player as we.

 

[uconngb]

This would be my top 4 if I had my choice. I think Mullins can play 2/3

Meleek Thomas, CG, GA
Nate Ament, PF, VA
Eric Reibe, C, MD
Braylon Mullins, SG, IN
My next four
Dybansta, SF, UT
I love his game and without a doubt with is a one and done but is the best in the class
Darius Acuff, PG, IMG FL
He is an excellent player and not the selfish player some have said on here.
Niko Bundalo, PF, OH
A big body who has had a good summer and would help down low.
33. Kiyan Anthony, SG,
I just to see Carmelo root for UConn and yes he is a good player as we.

Not a big ask at all