247Sports Updated 2025 and 2026 Recruiting Rankings

[navery12]

Jackson played almost exclusively small forward. Wilson was never a guard. Daniel Hamilton? He was never a guard. Brendan Adams mostly played 3, so did Calhoun. Haralson was never a guard. Even Alleyne spent some time at the 3, although not ideal.

When I say guards, I'm talking players who lack the size to play SF. Guys who are 1s and 2s only. We have five such players next year unless Mullins gets stronger.

That's fine if you want to use that definition, but then Mullins and Ball don't fit that definition and we have 3 "guards"

 

[Scrutineer]

I watched his games, highlights, and read some of the scouting reports. He'd be slower than anyone but the walk-ons right now. His feet look like they're stuck in sand.

Give him a couple years of S&C to maximize his ability to keep up and that elite skill he brings will shine.

This is the best competition level he faced so far (ish). They were playing EYBL teams. You can see that he doesn't have the speed of some of the USA players, but he's got skill... layups with both hands, 3s, handles, passing. Kid has a ton to his game.

Thanks.

As I see him handle the ball, he seems to have what the best offensive players have.....the ability to get where he wants to go with the ball in his hands. Like Kadary Richmond today. Or Kemba, or Shabazz.

As I think about it though, KEA had the "slow" label on him. The ball was on a string for him, he could make shots from everywhere, great passer, saw the floor. Is Furphy perhaps a larger version of KEA?

 

[superjohn]

I'm not so sure you can tell that he's slow from those clips. He looks smooth and under control and might just have another gear. He reminds me a little like Newton who wasn't a blazer, but made up for it with a plus handle, excellent first step and change of direction and knew how to use his long body to get good shots off. He did just fine.

Furphy has put up good numbers against international competition, so I doubt he's a subpar athlete. I think he's going to be the biggest surprise of this upcoming class. Whatever he might lack in athleticism, he's going to make up with elite BBIQ, solid 3 level scoring and deadly deep marksmanship. I think his modest ranking is the result of few seeing him play in person and against a consistent portion of high level competition, which is tough when he's from Tasmania, known more for short nasty lightening fast spiraling critters. Let's see how many here get that one, likely the older farts in this forum.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong about all this, so let's revisit this at some point next season.

Furphy has said himself his #1 thing he needs to work on is his athleticism. At the Basketball Without Borders combine a year ago Furphy was measured at 6'4.5 barefoot 210 lbs 6'6 wingspan 8'6 standing reach. He had a 24 inch standing vertical and a 28.5 max vertical. He ran a 11.52 lane agility and a 3.34 three quarter court sprint.

As a comparison Cam's measurements at the NBA combine were 6'3 barefoot 6'5 wingspan, 8'2.5 standing reach. He had a 23 inch standing vertical and a 30.5 max vertical. Cam ran a 11.07 lane agility and a 3.35 three quarter sprint.

 

[6Nattys4Us]

The issue with Ball is that he doesn't have ideal size for his position, he's a SG in a PG's body and hasn't shown enough lead guard skills up to this point to predict him transitioning to that position in the pros. If he was 6'4 or 6'5" with the same plus wingspan I think it would be a no-brainer that he would declare.

Muggsy Bogues would vehemently disagree with you.

 

[6Nattys4Us]

Furphy has guard skills but he's listed as a small forward on most of the recruiting services and that's where Hurley envisions him. Playing the three and being a connector/shooter/playmaker. Mullins will start at the 3 even though he's a prototypical shooting guard because we have Solo.

HuskyHawk was under the impression UConn will never carry 6 guards because they haven't had 6 guards since '99. We've had a bunch of 6 guard teams, I looked at the rosters since 2009-

2023- Tristen, Hawkins, Jackson, Hass, Joey C, Alleyne

2022- Cole, Jackson, Hawkins, Tyrese, Gaffney, Diggins

2021- Cole, Bouknight, Tyrese, Andre Jackson, Gaffney, Brendan Adams

2020- Alterique, Vital, Bouknight, Gaffney, Brendan Adams, Sidney Wilson

2019- Jalen Adams, Alterique Gilbert, Christian Vital, Tarin Smith, Sidney Wilson, Brendan Adams

2016- Gibbs, Jalen Adams, Daniel Hamilton, Purvis, Omar Calhoun, Sam Cassell Jr.

2015- Boat, Purvis, Daniel Hamilton, Omar Calhoun, Terrence Samuel, Sam Cassell Jr.

2014- Bazz, Boat, Niels, Kromah, Omar Calhoun, Terrence Samuel

2009- Price, Dyson, Kemba, Austrie, Beverly, Haralson

Some of those guys over the years played small forward to get them on the court and because of need, hell Niels was a jackkife and even played some power forward and center out of necessity but every one of those players was listed as a guard on our roster.

Mullins is a 2, but we're seen 3 guards on the floor before - most recently Newton, Cam, Castle. Positionless also means you can have 3 guards or 3 wings if the players can cover more than one traditional position.

Technically we have now: Diarra, Ball, Nowell, Mahaney, Diaby so 5

Next year: Ball, Nowell, Adams, Mahaney, Adams, Mullins (pending any NBA leap or Maheney bailing).

 

[husky429]

Furphy has said himself his #1 thing he needs to work on is his athleticism. At the Basketball Without Borders combine a year ago Furphy was measured at 6'4.5 barefoot 210 lbs 6'6 wingspan 8'6 standing reach. He had a 24 inch standing vertical and a 28.5 max vertical. He ran a 11.52 lane agility and a 3.34 three quarter court sprint.

As a comparison Cam's measurements at the NBA combine were 6'3 barefoot 6'5 wingspan, 8'2.5 standing reach. He had a 23 inch standing vertical and a 30.5 max vertical. Cam ran a 11.07 lane agility and a 3.35 three quarter sprint.

Actually crazy how similar that profile is to Cam. Gotta think that played a role in his recruitment. Slower but uber-skilled. Plenty of size, just needs some speednajd conditioning to make a splash.

Cam was a vet with a deep, savvy bag. If we can build Furphy up to D1 speed he's going to he really good. A middling, but skilled player can be very successful in college.

IMO he has a shot to be the best player in this class if he puts in the work.

 

[gtcam]

Guard/forward who cares. The kid is a basketball player and he has got game - something missing from the resumes of current kids on the roster. He will be fine. Speed is deceiving sometimes on camera vs in person. He may be sneakily quick with hands and feet.

 

[HuskyHawk]

You clearly didn't read my post.

Every single one of those players I listed as guards were listed as guards at UConn. As I stated some of them played the three out of necessity/roster construction. Niels even played some 4 and 5 out of necessity. Braylon will be our starting 3 next season.

My post explains all of this. You said we haven't had 6 guards since '99 and you were way off. You don't think we need to bring in a portal point guard for next season, you're way off on that too.

And I explained what I meant by guard. So you didn't read my post. I don't give two craps how we list guys, those are NBA positions. I ran the math a few years ago back to the early Calhoun days. For players who can't play the SF spot (except necessity for foul trouble), we usually have 4 no more than 5. In some years we had 3.

Now if you think Mullins is a 3 next year at 185 pounds, ok, then he's outside that group. Unless he has or does bulk up, I'm skeptical.

 

[Peacefrog]

I I explained what I meant by guard. So you didn't read my post. I don't give two craps how we list guys, those are NBA positions. I ran the math a few years ago back to the early Calhoun days. For players who can't play the SF spot (except necessity for foul trouble), we usually have 4 no more than 5. In some years we had 3.

Now if you think Mullins is a 3 next year at 185 pounds, ok, then he's outside that group. Unless he has or does bulk up, I'm skeptical.

I think the point here is that it doesn't matter. If we had 10 guards on the roster including incoming freshmen, we're simply not going to war next year without adding a PG. Period. Hurley is not going to be a slave to some arbitrary number of guards.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think the point here is that it doesn't matter. If we had 10 guards on the roster including incoming freshmen, we're simply not going to war next year without adding a PG. Period. Hurley is not going to be a slave to some arbitrary number of guards.

Yes, and I said that would likely happen, but that it also may mean one of those other guards isn't back.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I love Samson Johnson as a true Husky and great kid, but there will be some relief when we can roll out a 5 unit that doesn’t include him. He is such a clunky play at that position given the handicaps physically. A 5 that can’t rebound with bad hands is a hard play. How many put backs can you recall from him this season? I feel like it’s less than 5.

UNC is in an interesting spot right now. If they miss the tourney this year there is going to be lots of noise in CH. Hubie can’t recruit bigs of late, so getting Wilson was significant for him.

I know Ruff....but he is coming around. There is something about this kid....he never gave up, even when he flat out sucked. I am rooting hard for him to finish his UConn career strong.

 

[superjohn]

And I explained what I meant by guard. So you didn't read my post. I don't give two craps how we list guys, those are NBA positions. I ran the math a few years ago back to the early Calhoun days. For players who can't play the SF spot (except necessity for foul trouble), we usually have 4 no more than 5. In some years we had 3.

Now if you think Mullins is a 3 next year at 185 pounds, ok, then he's outside that group. Unless he has or does bulk up, I'm skeptical.

You're going to die on this hill.

 

[superjohn]

Actually crazy how similar that profile is to Cam. Gotta think that played a role in his recruitment. Slower but uber-skilled. Plenty of size, just needs some speednajd conditioning to make a splash.

Cam was a vet with a deep, savvy bag. If we can build Furphy up to D1 speed he's going to he really good. A middling, but skilled player can be very successful in college.

IMO he has a shot to be the best player in this class if he puts in the work.

He should be very good, I think Braylon is going to be a star.

 

[husky429]

He should be very good, I think Braylon is going to be a star.

Braylon is 1 and done and will make a ton of money. I think Furphy will be an insane upperclassmen with a Cam-ish output.

 

[superjohn]

I think the point here is that it doesn't matter. If we had 10 guards on the roster including incoming freshmen, we're simply not going to war next year without adding a PG. Period. Hurley is not going to be a slave to some arbitrary number of guards.

It only makes sense in HuskyHawk's head.

 

[HuskyHawk]

You're going to die on this hill.

I'm going to be quite alive on the hill. Suggesting that Daniel Hamilton is a college guard. Come on. Might as well say Burrell was.

I know we want flexible players who can move between 1-2-3 and even 4. All I said was that we were not going to carry more than five guys who were not big/strong enough to play any positions except 1-2. That's it. If Mullins is able to play the 3, then we're at four. I know Solo can play a little 3, but he's way undersized and doesn't board. Hurley won't want him in that role.

 

[husky429]

It only makes sense in HuskyHawk's head.

It's confusing because 2-4 are interchangeable on offense. Even the 1 at times. We really just need to worry about having the size, speed and strength to guard a variety of opponent matchups.

 

[superjohn]

It's confusing because 2-4 are interchangeable on offense. Even the 1 at times. We really just need to worry about having the size, speed and strength to guard a variety of opponent matchups.

There's no getting around the need for a portal point guard. We would need one no matter what but it's exacerbated because the only point guard currently on the team hasn't shown anything this season and he's 5'11 and we pretty much know Solo and Braylon will be starting. You're only rolling with that short 1-3 if you knew you had an El-Amin, Kemba, Bazz type of point guard and we don't know that.

The idea we wouldn't bring in a portal point guard and would sacrifice our season because we already have five guards is beyond stupid.

 

[superjohn]

I'm going to be quite alive on the hill. Suggesting that Daniel Hamilton is a college guard. Come on. Might as well say Burrell was.

I know we want flexible players who can move between 1-2-3 and even 4. All I said was that we were not going to carry more than five guys who were not big/strong enough to play any positions except 1-2. That's it. If Mullins is able to play the 3, then we're at four. I know Solo can play a little 3, but he's way undersized and doesn't board. Hurley won't want him in that role.

Again, you didn't read my post.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

If there is one thing that this coaching staff does is develop players. The list is impressive. Players do not stay the same in this program. Solo went from 1.3 ppg to 17ppg??? that's bananas. Adama got better. The Wrench. Samson. Hawk. Andre. Please the list is long and awesome. My point is that our existing players will not come back the same. They will improve. And we have awesome freshmen. Outlook for next year is awesome. I dont think I said awesome enough, so here it is, again.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's confusing because 2-4 are interchangeable on offense. Even the 1 at times. We really just need to worry about having the size, speed and strength to guard a variety of opponent matchups.

Which is all I'm saying. Biggest need is somebody to guard bigger wings and forwards because Ball and Mullins probably are not that. Stephon Castle would be ideal. Call him a PG on offense if you want but on D he can take bigger guys. Daniel Hamilton would work.

We are too small. What I think we really need is a big point forward, whatever we call his position. No idea if there will be a guy like that in the portal. I think Mullins would struggle defensively at the 3 in our defensive system from what I've seen. Our 3 slides over and guards centers at times.

 

[husky429]

There's no getting around the need for a portal point guard. We would need one no matter what but it's exacerbated because the only point guard currently on the team hasn't shown anything this season and he's 5'11 and we pretty much know Solo and Braylon will be starting. You're only rolling with that short 1-3 if you knew you had an El-Amin, Kemba, Bazz type of point guard and we don't know that.

The idea we wouldn't bring in a portal point guard and would sacrifice our season because we already have five guards is beyond stupid.

Somebody Tristen/Castle sized that can run the point would be best, even at the expense of shooting. As long as they can attack and lead an offense.

 

[Agent0]

Thru 22 games of sophomore season:



Jordan Hawkins: 29 min, 16.3ppg, 41.5% FG%, 39.4% 3 pt %, 85.9% FT, 3.9 RPG, 1.4 APG, 16-6 record



Solo Ball: 31 min, 15.0ppg, 47.2% FG, 45.6% 3 pt %, 83% FT, 3.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 16-6 record.

Ball first 13 games:] on left and last 9 on right

12.5ppg 18.7ppg
1.9 rpg 5.7rpg
1.2 apg 1.7apg
41.3% on 3's 50.7% on 3's

I would think that isn't 2 games

This is why I mentioned I wouldn’t be shocked if he went pro. Similar stats to Hawkins but the issue with Ball will be he is lacks size for a 2 guard

 

[Umami Zen]

All four of our incoming freshmen will substantially benefit from our SnC program for different reasons. They all possess the skills/BBIQ/upside to be high impact guys. Gotta get those HS bodies tuned for CBB/BE athletes.

 

[eos91]

Furphy has said himself his #1 thing he needs to work on is his athleticism. At the Basketball Without Borders combine a year ago Furphy was measured at 6'4.5 barefoot 210 lbs 6'6 wingspan 8'6 standing reach. He had a 24 inch standing vertical and a 28.5 max vertical. He ran a 11.52 lane agility and a 3.34 three quarter court sprint.

As a comparison Cam's measurements at the NBA combine were 6'3 barefoot 6'5 wingspan, 8'2.5 standing reach. He had a 23 inch standing vertical and a 30.5 max vertical. Cam ran a 11.07 lane agility and a 3.35 three quarter sprint.

Interestingly, Furphy was named defensive player of the tournament - seems like a great fit.

x.com

x.com

 

[k-walk]

 

[Umami Zen]

When I watch Furphy play in these clips. I see right place-right time. Smart young man. Reminds me of Gretsky's philosophy -Skate to where the puck is going to be-Not where its been. Means to anticipate where the puck will go next and position yourself accordingly-Giving yourself an advantage over your opponent. Wayne was not uber-athletic-But was prolific using his IQ and vision vs better athletes.. Jacob has a mature feel for the game-You know it when you see it.

Definitely has the Cam vibe and efficiency going for him. He'll figure it out.

 

[RuffRuff]

When I watch Furphy play in these clips. I see right place-right time. Smart young man. Reminds me of Gretsky's philosophy -Skate to where the puck is going to be-Not where its been. Means to anticipate where the puck will go next and position yourself accordingly-Giving yourself an advantage over your opponent. Wayne was not uber-athletic-But was prolific using his IQ and vision vs better athletes.. Jacob has a mature feel for the game-You know it when you see it.

Definitely has the Cam vibe and efficiency going for him. He'll figure it out.

You argue the skills of instincts and anticipation are more valuable than pure athleticism as it’s harder to find. Couldn’t agree more on the limited clips, always seems to be a step ahead and in the right spot.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

What Furphy appears to lack in athleticism, he makes up for with BBIQ. Similar to Karaban. I said it before I think Furphy is either a gem day 1 or may take a year, or two, to develop before he has any real impact.

Very excited for this recruiting class.

 

[auror]

Both the international transition and athleticism jump will likely be a little jarring for Furphy. Outside of like Jakucionis, we've seen internationals tend to struggle out of the game. It will almost certainly take him longer for the game to slow down than say McNeeley.

The good thing is that he's been shooting on the college 3pt line for years. He should be able to knock down shots day 1.