ESPN updated 2014 rankings

[THC]

The 2000 class with Taliek Brown, Scott Hazelton and Caron Butler was probably the highest ranked UConn class ever. Most had their class ranked either 1 or 2.

Wasn't Johnnie Selvie part of that class?

 

[CTBasketball]

2011 with Andre Drummond (#2), DeAndre Daniels (#10), and Boatright (mid 50-60's) was really good as well. Too bad Dre and Daniels signed late, would have been top 5.

 

[huskies20]

It was pretty much a consensus top 5 recruiting class.

1991-1992
1. Richie Ashmeade, guard, Queens Village, NY
2. Jeff Calhoun, guard, Mansfield, CT
3. Brian Fair, guard, Phoenix, AZ
4. Rudy Johnson, guard, Jacksonville, FL
5. Donny Marshall, forward, Federal Way, WA
6. Donyell Marshall, forward, Reading, PA
7. Kevin Ollie, guard, Los Angeles, CA
8. Nantambu Willingham, center, Atlanta, GA

Jeff Calhoun was a stud and a half!

 

[3uconn]

Here's what they said about Hamilton's rise in the rankings:
UConn-bound shooting guard Daniel Hamilton (Los Angeles/St. John Bosco), who rose from No. 27 to No. 17, continues to impress with his aggressive scoring nature, creativity off the bounce and efficient shooting from inside and beyond the 3-point arc.

 

[BearJWS]

Can't forget Douggie Wiggins in that 2006 class with those guys. Not an elite recruit but I think Telep had him as a top 100 guy.

I spaced & left Doug out for whatever reason... Doug was a bonus when reneged from St.Johns and some other kid ended up not coming to UConn or UConn withdrew his scholarship. Was it Romar Smith? I think that other kid went to Tennessee & eventually transferred out of there too.

 

[Hugo]

Wasn't Johnnie Selvie part of that class?

Yes he was. I believe he was named JUCO player of the year as well.

 

[mauconnfan]

Wow, I had forgotten about Ashmeade! Didn't he quickly transfer out? I thought Calhoun was a year or so later, but I'm guessing he was a walk on. Boo supposedly had a nice Pro career playing all over the place.

Ashmeade ended up at RU while still in the A10?

Thought Travis Knight was in that one?

 

[Mooch82]

Yes he was. I believe he was named JUCO player of the year as well.

And don't forget Robert Swain!

 

[Mooch82]

Ashmeade ended up at RU while still in the A10?

Thought Travis Knight was in that one?

Nope, Knight was the next one with Eric Hayward.

 

[Waquoit]

Ou
Outrageous jump for him. However, I think about 10 other players should be over him.

So he should be 11th?

 

[Waquoit]

Our best class was probably Okafor and Gordon. What did that Pitt guy call it, undistiguished?

 

[alexd]

Our best class was probably Okafor and Gordon. What did that Pitt guy call it, undistiguished?

But at the time that they signed with UCONN, Okafor was rated around 100-125 and Gordon was in the 40's. If you want to rate them by how things ended up 3 years later....yes, probably our best class.

 

[huskiesnyc]

There is no scouting report updated, but they gave Carrington 4 stars and list him as the #23 SG. Someone might want to inform ESPN that his name is Khadeen and not Khadeem.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/172076/khadeem-carrington

 

[3uconn]

So he should be 11th?

No the people over him and about 10 others at least.

 

[Waquoit]

What about the class with Rip and KFree? Also Jake and Leblanc. Anyone remember where that one came in?

 

[HuskyNationJE]

Would love to land McLaughlin, have Purvis at the 2, D-Ham at the 3, then get Leron or Jakeenan at the 4 and Chukwu at the 5. Too high of hopes on this?

 

[HuskyNationJE]

We also have a really nice looking lineup of people considering us for 2015 which they now have the ESPN 60 for

 

[HooperScooper]

I saw this in Dave Telep's article with his top 10 thoughts about the 2014 class. Good news for UConn.

9. Conference affiliation won’t matter
Realignment is difficult to follow. Even if you’re in the business, you need a reference sheet. Imagine being a recruit. Some unscientific research this spring yielded this conclusion: Recruits no longer care about conference affiliation. They’re making college decisions based on two factors. First, players want to know how and how fast the coach can get them to the NBA. Second, they want a strong relationship with the head coach. The elite players are considering development and the NBA, not conference affiliation. When is the last time you heard a top-25 prospect say the deciding factor was the league? It’s not happening.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/dave-telep/post?id=3669

 

[Tenspro2002]

They’re making college decisions based on two factors. First, players want to know how and how fast the coach can get them to the NBA. Second, they want a strong relationship with the head coach. The elite players are considering development and the NBA, not conference affiliation.

Check, and check.

I actually think that second aspect will be even easier to sell with KO than it was with JC. Kids increasingly want the easy road and tune out old-school attitudes (see AO). KO isn't an "easy" coach, but his teaching methods are a lot more positive and likely to earn the respect of the players.