2025 Recruiting: Darius Acuff Jr 5*: Update: Committed to Arkansas

[Scrutiner]

And it's not like that came out of the blue, given that we had four national championships that proceeded it.

True about the four championships, but the fourth was 9 years before the fifth and we're talking about kids today who were 6 or 7 years old in 2014 so getting two in a row has helped make up for years of little to no recognition.

 

[ctchamps]

I couldn't believe when Zanetto said A.J. Dybantsa wasn't a good fit for UConn. I guess we wouldn't have taken LeBron either. You get the best players available as long as they're grinders.

There was hope that Stephon Castle would consider coming to UConn in 2023 and be the starting pg. When he chose not to we got Tristen in the portal.

Stephon arrives in 2024 with his eye on being the pg. But Tristen ends up returning and Hurley keeps him as the pg with Castle playing the off ball guard.

And Castle handled it like a professional. It is unlikely this was his preference but his attitude and that of his family was to respect the coaches and their decisions.

It paid off. A national championship and SC’s role as a Husky impressed NBA teams enough to make him a lottery pick. But it could have gone badly. Most NBA teams had him slated as a 2 guard and not the pg. He continually told them in tryouts he wanted that pg role. The Spurs agreed fortunately but they, as well as most NBA observers, are quite surprised at his ability to handle that assignment.

The risk with A. J. Dybantsa is his dad. If A.J. Is not showcased in the manner pops wants it’s likely Hurley will hear it and if that were to happen team chemistry would be impacted. Zanetto was not talking about the talent not being a fit. It’s the family.

 

[Bboy Lace]

He's announcing this Friday.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[RuffRuff]

Predictable outcome - everything I’ve heard about this kid is that he and his dad are all NBA in mindset, game generally reflects that. Let’s see if the Buick Salesman can figure out out how to turn him into a winning player in his one year in land of Walmart. Musselman was getting these kids too.

 

[auror]

I don't know for sure that it affects the Meleek Thomas recruitment, but I don't see a scenario where it's a BAD thing.

 

[bjc42]

I don't know for sure that it affects the Meleek Thomas recruitment, but I don't see a scenario where it's a BAD thing.

I think there were rumors that if Acuff went to Arkansas, Meleek would be out on them.

 

[aceboon]

I don't know why it would affect Thomas, Cal has always recruited multiple on-ball guards in the same class

 

[superjohn]

I don't know why it would affect Thomas, Cal has always recruited multiple on-ball guards in the same class

And then has them coming off the bench.

 

[aceboon]

And then has them coming off the bench.

Drafted lotto so I don't think it's bothering them too much

 

[UofCT]

I don't know why it would affect Thomas, Cal has always recruited multiple on-ball guards in the same class

Don’t they have Fland?

 

[ucp990411]

Watch out for Kansas St and Meleek.

 

[superjohn]

Drafted lotto so I don't think it's bothering them too much

Won't bother them as long as they don't care about winning in college.

 

[awy]

it's probably bothering Justin Edwards

 

[Stinger92860]

And then has them coming off the bench.

And then has them losing

 

[aceboon]

Don’t they have Fland?

Yea, imo he's not a one and done level talent but we shall see

 

[TheHorde]

And then has them losing

Yeah it’s a shame AJ is looking hard at BYU. I bet Cal could have gotten him in the lottery too lol.

 

[RuffRuff]

I couldn't believe when Zanetto said A.J. Dybantsa wasn't a good fit for UConn. I guess we wouldn't have taken LeBron either. You get the best players available as long as they're grinders.

You have to be smart how you bring in a highly touted 5 star, understanding character and intention and how that fits into the framework of what you expect back, knowing it’s a guaranteed one and done. If you have a group of incoming juniors that are developing and have earned their keep and know the system, only to have a big ego frosh come in expecting to be the man, you’re working an anti culture angle. I don’t think it’s as simple as saying take the best available. One year rentals have to fit.

 

[BGesus4]

it's probably bothering Justin Edwards

That he started and got a lot of minutes?

 

[awy]

That he started and got a lot of minutes?

did he develop?

 

[Umami Zen]

Don’t they have Fland?

And DJ Wagner and Karter Knox and Billy Richmond. SG/CG or SF prospects. Acuff has the rep as being ball dominant. I think Meleek is looking for a team that shares the ball.Chemistry and offensive scheme will be important to him

 

[caw]

And DJ Wagner and Karter Knox and Billy Richmond. SG/CG or SF prospects. Acuff has the rep as being ball dominant. I think Meleek is looking for a team that shares the ball.Chemistry and offensive scheme will be important to him

It doesn't really matter who is on a roster for high school players, there will be a ton of turnover across the country as always.

 

[TheHorde]

That he started and got a lot of minutes?

That he free fell in the draft? After not winning squat in college?

 

[CL82]

So, I guess comments that he was coming to Connecticut were just off Acuff?

 

[Umami Zen]

It doesn't really matter who is on a roster for high school players, there will be a ton of turnover across the country as always.

IMO. Acuff and Meleek were never going to be on the same CBB team. We can all draw our own conclusions as to why. Five stars tend to travel in the same AAU circles and camps. They know each other's game.

And then there's the NIL budget at their schools of interest to be spread across the roster.