Darius Adams Decommits from UConn

[Deleted at users request]

Hence why I said top 50-100 guys - both Adams and Lewis are top 20- 30ish guys who both made headlines when they decommitted. And also why I said "traditional" power teams. I could've been more specific and said teams that are top ten types. Sure, there's going to be some non-McD AA type freshmen making impacts (hoping for Furphy), but I would expect to see more and more Nowell and Abraham situations when a guy in that middle to lower half of the top 100 recruit list tries to get time at a major, contending school. It's just not going to happen. I think Dan Hurley still values the idea of development and continuity, but I just think it's going to be rarer and rarer for teams like us. People on here at their usually Pitino trigger when he talked about not recruiting high school kids anymore, but I get it outside of your one or two and done types.

Look at Demary. He was a top 60 recruit. If he had gone to us or another natty contending type team out of high school, he's probably on the bench for a year or two and then transferring out. Instead, he goes to Georgia, proves he can play, and then jumps to the top.

I actually started a thread that looks at the recruits as a whole. The Nowell and Abraham situation was pretty uncommon in CBB this year no matter where you were it seemed. I'll let you get your own ideas from the information here though.

How did Freshman around CBB fare last year?

Here is the list of freshmen in the top 100 of the RSCI (Recruiting Services Consensus Index) Rankings on sports reference with their production this season available on the same page. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/rsci-recruit-rankings-2024.html Just to have a solid view of...

the-boneyard.com

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

View attachment 108970

Took her one day to master hitting the rubber mat beneath with a two-step acceleration to keep it going, and get a chin-scrape when she fell off.

After I held her a bit while she cried, she declared the "need to go back and do it higher."

 

[boog204]

The rumblings so far say Alabama may be a destination who aren't a low tier program.

I don't know if he's necessarily running away from competition as much as he may feel like this coaching staff made moves that showed they weren't trusting him to play much this year.

It will be interesting if that's his choice. Bama has Holloway and Wrightsell (I think) returning, has Bethea coming in, and another top 50ish freshman combo guard as well. There's also the possibility that Philon returns, who declared for the draft. Where would Adams think the minutes are?

 

[SubbaBub]

There are a lot of top level programs where a player like Adams will get at least 15 mpg. He's good. Losing him is a real loss. I understand what Hurley is doing, he doesn't like to take chances. Adding the 2nd portal guard was likely the message to Adams that he wouldn't even be the backup PG. So he's going, as he probably should. He'll land at a good program.

To be fair, a McD AA 5 star should be able to compete with and beat out a kid from Dayton for the backup PG spot. It might take the first half of the season but by the tournament you should expect that to be the case.

It's also fair not to ask a McD AA 5-star with designs on entering the Draft in year 2 or 3 to potentially waste a year doing that.

The bloom on HS rankings has a short shelf life especially in the portal era. It's best for high ranking HS players to play as you can always transfer later.

Being a back up 10-15 minute player at a top program is one thing. Competing for that spot once all other options have been closed for the season is another entirely.

Hurley recognizes he still has a window with his current squad to win another title. Last year. He was a PG, depth and defense for 40 minutes away.

This year he needs another reliable 3 pt shooter, a PG, 10 more minutes of Reed and some rebounding and defense. Looks like he might get the first 3. Will have to wait on the other 2.

 

[SubbaBub]

Agreed, the incentive for college coaches to invest in long-term player development is no longer there.

What this means is that players are going to have to invest some of that NIL money in hiring private coaches/trainers who will do the long-term player development, while coaches focus on 6-month development of a team.

The new system can work but it puts more responsibility on the players to take a long-term view.

I'm sure there will still be kids that recognize they need development. Coaches need to realize that won't be thr default any longer and pick those kind of kids that have the character and upside potential to make that worthwhile.

Sanogo and Jackson are guys who developed enough to be drafted. Being on a winning team was part of what got them there.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Took her one day to master hitting the rubber mat beneath with a two-step acceleration to keep it going, and get a chin-scrape when she fell off.

After I held her a bit while she cried, she declared the "need to go back and do it higher."

Good stuff. Wait a few years until she wants a mani/pedi…and you’re sitting right beside her with your shoes off and feet in the water.

 

[Deleted at users request]

It will be interesting if that's his choice. Bama has Holloway and Wrightsell (I think) returning, has Bethea coming in, and another top 50ish freshman combo guard as well. There's also the possibility that Philon returns, who declared for the draft. Where would Adams think the minutes are?

According to this roster the only returning guards would be Holloway and possibly Philon (unless one of the other SRs have an extra year available).

https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Team/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Basketball-165/Roster/

If Philon heads to the draft it looks like Holloway and Bethea starting and then a lot of minutes available at the guard spots behind those guys.

 

[bendm]

I can’t imagine what this thread would be like if Mullins or Reibe had decommitted if everyone is so angsty about losing Adams

 

[superjohn]

I can’t imagine what this thread would be like if Mullins or Reibe had decommitted if everyone is so angsty about losing Adams

Everyone is so angsty about losing Adams?

 

[bendm]

Everyone is so angsty about losing Adams?

Most of The posters in this thread are. They’re Either not accepting the general consensus for why he left or are worried about the impact him leaving will have this year or on the future of UConn’s bball program

 

[Excalibur]

Most of The posters in this thread are. They’re Either not accepting the general consensus for why he left or are worried about the impact him leaving will have this year or on the future of UConn’s bball program

Most of the posters in this thread are of the (correct) opinion that (1) They get why he made the decision (2) it looks like it was well thought out and mutual with the coaching staff, so (3) it sucks, but no hard feelings . . .

 

[Waquoit]

HS kids who used to sit on the bench of power schools will go to mid majors and start.

That's a good thing, imo. And if they outplay their seed they get paid to move somewhere else.

 

[uchusky32]

Recruits outside the top 10-20 will need to consider what they want when dealing with the top programs. A lot of playing time early or top development. If you’re trying to complete for a championship you need a top notch pt guard. And some veteran presence on the floor somewhere. We could see Adams back here in 1 or 2 years. Not saying it going to happen but recruiting is going to change for everybody including the recruits.

 

[DW1361]

I can’t believe this thread still has life. Great opinions and an interesting read, but so much passion over losing a recruit this day and age?

In my opinion, the kid saw other guards coming in and assumed they got more NIL than him and also put him in to a competitive situation where perhaps he felt he might not succeed and risked losing future big payoffs. NIL is changing everything. You have to play to shine and get paid the big bucks. Who knows what this kids motivation was to leave UConn. College sports at a high level isn’t about the team and a good education. It is Show me the Money.

 

[DW1361]

What I want to know is not what we lost, but where can we find another great piece to fill a backup role at the point? Donnell Beverly gave us four years as a backup and was a senior captain on the 2011 team. Another guy like him is who will get me excited. Best of luck to Adam’s, now let’s get the guy that can give us heart and be a solid backup on a loaded team.

 

[Marat]

What I want to know is not what we lost, but where can we find another great piece to fill a backup role at the point? Donnell Beverly gave us four years as a backup and was a senior captain on the 2011 team. Another guy like him is who will get me excited. Best of luck to Adam’s, now let’s get the guy that can give us heart and be a solid backup on a loaded team.

You mean in addition to Malachi Smith ? Someone who can be there long term ?

 

[superjohn]

This isn't meant as a diss because he's a really good kid, he chose us, and I think he can eventually turn into a very good player but I saw a workout video of Adams where he said he feels he's underrated. I think he's in for a bit of an adjustment/wake up call and I think the McDonald's event and the staff being really honest with him was probably a bit of an eye opener for him.

This feels like a win-win for him and for UConn.

 

[knicksin7]

There are no guarantees that 4 or 5 star hs players will provide instant impact to any teams. Some are spectacular like Cooper Flagg...others like Gavin Griffiths just don't work out.

Cooper Flagg and Gavin Griffiths are not comparable. Come on.

 

[BigTenFan]

Both 5 star recruits.....

 

[Mr. French]

Most of The posters in this thread are. They’re Either not accepting the general consensus for why he left or are worried about the impact him leaving will have this year or on the future of UConn’s bball program

This is easily the most non-freak out response to a 5-star decommit in the history of our program.

 

[DW1361]

You mean in addition to Malachi Smith ? Someone who can be there long term ?

No, Smith is a one year paid fill gap. I am talking about a solid four year player with heart that wants to be a part of a winning program just as Donnell Beverly did. Beverly had talent. I loved watching him in practice. These type of kids are out there. A champion needs these types as well.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I can’t imagine what this thread would be like if Mullins or Reibe had decommitted if everyone is so angsty about losing Adams

Everyone is so angsty about losing Adams?

In my case, I expect Mullins is a one and done. Maybe. I think Reibe is a project. Had Adams stayed I would expect him to be our best player in 26-27 and possibly a lottery pick.

I think there is a near 0% chance that our two portal guards are better than Adams next season (26-27). So it's a short term move and yes, Hurley can bring in a new freshman for next year so maybe it doesn't matter. But Adams was a very good fit for our system. In part, as an occasional Kansas fan, I watched them lose guys like Zuby chasing more experienced players. It didn't work out. Cost them Bidunga now too.

 

[Waquoit]

This is easily the most non-freak out response to a 5-star decommit in the history of our program.

Combination of the paradigm shift and that we've never been at this recruiting level before.

 

[Inyatkin]

What I want to know is not what we lost, but where can we find another great piece to fill a backup role at the point? Donnell Beverly gave us four years as a backup and was a senior captain on the 2011 team. Another guy like him is who will get me excited. Best of luck to Adam’s, now let’s get the guy that can give us heart and be a solid backup on a loaded team.

Leadership and continuity are valuable, no doubt. But "a guy like Donnell Beverly is who will get me excited" is so odd. You'd be excited about a guy who hardly plays for four years?

 

[superjohn]

In my case, I expect Mullins is a one and done. Maybe. I think Reibe is a project. Had Adams stayed I would expect him to be our best player in 26-27 and possibly a lottery pick.

I think there is a near 0% chance that our two portal guards are better than Adams next season (26-27). So it's a short term move and yes, Hurley can bring in a new freshman for next year so maybe it doesn't matter. But Adams was a very good fit for our system. In part, as an occasional Kansas fan, I watched them lose guys like Zuby chasing more experienced players. It didn't work out. Cost them Bidunga now too.

I'm confused by this post. Next college basketball season is 25-26. I expect both our portal guards Demary and Smith to be a lot better than Adams next season. Smith doesn't have eligibility beyond 25-26 so yes Adams will be a better college player than him in 26-27 by virtue of Smith not playing. There's zero chance IMO Adams is a lottery pick after his sophomore season and if he was UConn's best player as a sophomore UConn basketball would be in a world of hurt.