HFS…Solo out next year with a wrist injury

[Gurleyman]

Khamenia covered AK for a while and to the naked eye, the two were basically the exact same size and speed. AK just maybe ever so slightly stronger after 4 years of strength and conditioning.

 

[Scottobot]

6'8" Khamenia would be the biggest 3 in UConn history.

Rudy Gay played 3. I think he is taller than Khamenia.

 

[uconn_jack]

No he wouldn't be a backup exactly. He would be in a position battle. And given the outcome of the last 3 years (unfortunately last year affected by injury), and the pedigree of NK. He is wouldn't begin off season practice with the starters. And he'd be behind Mullins, and NK. and he ended this season behind Ross.

But Hurley will play the best players. Stewart still would've had the opportunity to win the position. But the odds weren't in his favor. Since he couldn't get a guarantee to start as a senior, since he knows that's not our culture and Hurley couldn't promise him that, he had to leave for a chance play more, which could improve his long term prospects for a basketball career.

Well, yes, I probably should have been more specific. Yes he would be in the mix to start, but I don't think he'd win over Nik or Ross, and if he didn't he'd be looking at 10-15 as a backup.

 

[uconn_jack]

The thought of Ross starting will keep me up at nights

The Boneyard:
Ross needs to be starting over Ball this year.

Also the Boneyard:
Ross cannot be a starter next year.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Stuck on 5 rings.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Who has 5 rings? You’re talking about Duke?

 

[Stinger92860]

We don't want him, remember? When he committed elsewhere the comments came pouring in about how overrated he is.

Remember the other 98% who wanted him?

 

[Stinger92860]

The wrist injury explains his poor play most of the year. he wasnt himself.

His play was the same, it was his shooting, mainly from 3, which suffered. His D is what it is.

 

[djct1999]

This sucks. But some points:

1. Better for them to know that he is going to be out while there are a lot of options still in the portal. Staff can look to build the best roster for next season. Silver lining.

2. If we were going to lose a player to injury, the 2/3 position is where we have strengths in numbers right now. Mullins, County, and Ross can play minutes there. Once we get a backup PG, we could also move Silas there. I think for roster building purposes, it may help the team for this year to have Mullins at a more natural 2 spot, and a bigger guy on the wing with Ross and Landrew splitting time there. The staff can build around Solo in 27-28, with hopefully Landrew, Kamenia and Hines still on the roster.

3. The backup PG situation. I think prior to this injury, the staff was in a little bit of a tough spot there because they knew they needed to get County some minutes his freshman year. Bringing in a veteran or even youngish PG to back up Silas might have scared County off this year, or had him transfer after the season. Remember, the portal closes in an hour or so, but incoming freshman can still back out of their commitments even past that.

Now, the staff can play County at the 1, 2 or even the 3 position since their is one less body there. And they can recruit a backup PG, knowing they have other options to get County minutes. I know this may sound a little strange being worried about a top 40 recruit's minutes his freshman year, but one of our huge advantages over the last couple of years is roster continuity, more so than most teams in the country. We don't want to only recruit 2 freshman (which is the right move) and then lose 1 of them right away to the portal.

4. Finally, this frees up money to go get someone at the 5, and a backup PG. Those two spots get you to 9 meaningful contributors (Silas, Mullins, Ross, Khamenia, Hines, County, Landrew, Portal C, Portal PG). Maybe you can swing a backup 4, but more likely than may look to recruit someone at the 5 who can also play the 4. That is going to be expensive than finding a backup PG.

Great points. This is why I feel a medical redshirt was a mutual decision. I think without the staff’s encouragement and support, Solo most likely would have tried to come back.

 

[CTBasketball]

Backup C and backup PG are the needs. I wouldn’t hate a senior transfer 3-pt shooter off the bench.

We don’t know what we’re getting with Landrew and moreso County. Giving County 15-20 mpg as a backup PG in Hurley’s system scares me.

 

[Sphinx]

Let us remember that a red-shirted player can be activated anytime during a season provided he is on the roster. The door is not closed on Ball playing next season or part of next season. The present announcement should be viewed as an intention -- perhaps a sincere intention but possibly a ploy of sorts to clarify current recruiting while leaving open all avenues for next year. Remember that the NCAA rules on 5th year eligibility this summer. If Ball is eligible for two more seasons, he may well be willing to come off the bench in the second half of next season. Just saying.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I think the delay was Solo deciding whether to sit out the whole season or if it was worth playing a few months of it. And then there's some contract ramifications that affect that

Think you are spot on. I think he needed a medical opinion related to surgery and subsequent recovery time. Then he needed to determine his NIL payout for playing or sitting. This is a smart professional move by Solo as it helps him and it certainly helps the team as he will be here to shepherd young'uns in the transition

 

[HuskyHawk]

Josh Mullins said Braylon wants to work on becoming a facilitator next year with the ball in his hand not just running off screens. If he gets stronger with his dribble it would be great to see him get to the line frequently. We need to draw more fouls next year.

He improved quite a bit at it last year. Was often the guy who could penetrate and get the ball to Reed in the tournament. He's no PG, but he can do more of that playing his natural position. He really wasn't well suited to be a 3 for our team, mostly for defensive reasons. I doubt he would have come back to play the 3 and if he did I doubt Landrew would have stayed.

 

[ctbro1999]

Unless he wants to play 6!

I think if the 5 in 5 rule is approved, redshirts will no longer be a thing (except in extreme circumstances I think).

 

[ctbro1999]

No one does this.

Didn't UNC recently dump a HS recruit because he got injured and would miss most/all of his frosh season?

 

[ctbro1999]

Solo never put his other hand on his thigh/knee on the ft line when everyone else does, he was dunking with his right hand. I almost forgot, Solo was also in a boot before the national championship game. We've never had a tougher player. Silas injury also should've put him out 6 weeks, all he missed was the Furman game. I'm convinced this was our toughest team ever and it's crazy they made the championship game and had a good chance to win it with fair refs.

View attachment 119854

He's a warrior and I'm proud to own an extensive collection of UConn cards of him. I don't even care about values!

 

[husky429]

Didn't UNC recently dump a HS recruit because he got injured and would miss most/all of his frosh season?

Mingo?

NIL, new coach, injury history... It's very different than a kid who has been on campus for 3 years.

 

[huskymedic]

Good read my Mike Anthony:



Shortcut <<

-> Ball has no basketball decision to make for two years. He’ll be paid handsomely — through revenue-sharing for UConn’s use of his name, image and likeness, and through any side NIL deals he arranges along the way. He’ll work out with elite training and conditioning staffs, in a world-class facilities. He’ll earn a college degree on a campus, and alongside friends, he adores. <-

 

[Excalibur]

Khamenia covered AK for a while and to the naked eye, the two were basically the exact same size and speed. AK just maybe ever so slightly stronger after 4 years of strength and conditioning.

To my eye Karaban is thicker, stronger, with longer arms. Khamenia is quicker and more athletic.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

If you look at my historical posts about Solo, you will see a huge fan boy. I love this kid. I am sad he is hurt and I am even sadder he is going to miss significant time, for him not for us necessarily. But I am grateful that this injury absolutely explains his shooting this year. He is too good a shooter to have struggled for no reason. And, as a Solo fan, I love the most that in two years, this team will be his. Huge chance for him to make his case for the NBA. Get better soon kid!

 

[temery]

Buried in all this is the fact that he and UConn trust each other enough to get him ready for the 27/28 season.

Pre-NIL this was a given. With NIL this is both the school and the player doing the right thing to get him ready for 27/28.

I really hope this is the first two year NIL contract. Surgery and rehab next year, and play in 2027/2028.

 

[Slick]

Out a year with a wrist injury? Guys are coming back from Achilles surgery far quicker than that.

 

[Donyell 360]

With a circus of a camp. Want nothing to do with it.

I guess Pitino doesn't mind a circus?

 

[Donyell 360]

I saw a Trilly post (i think on Rupp) that Uconn backed out on Freeman

It's good to have high standards, but when you pass on a guy and he goes to your closest rival, it opens the door for a lot of second guessing. Will be interesting to see how he does at St. Johns. We could be glad we passed or we could regret it. That's what makes this compelling theater. Can't wait!

 

[RuffRuff]

I guess Pitino doesn't mind a circus?

Pitino is mercenary shopping

 

[Donyell 360]

Would be curious how deeply looped into the Mullins team was to the Solo situation and if it impacted anything. The two is clearly the better position for him.

Stories I've heard is that Mullins decided right after the tournament ended. He supposedly didn't even have to discuss it with his parents. He knew what he wanted. There was still negotiations to work out but this narrative suggests his decision was not dependent on Ball's decision. Not sure how positional vs positionless next year's team will be but it seems to me with Mullins sliding to the 2 and Ross/Landrew/Khamenia at the 3 and Khamenia/Landrew at the 4, we are a little more positionless. That's assuming Mullins improves defensively which he should. I'm hoping Mullins will be a defensive upgrade over Ball. Not sure that was the case last year but it seems Mullins has more room to improve than Ball.

 

[ctbro1999]

It's also sorta cool that Solo will get to be the solo star of senior night in 2028 as a 4 (well 5) year senior. Johnson last year, Karaban this year, Ross next season, and then Ball in '28 for the 4+ year Huskies.

 

[Henry]

I just feel bad for Solo. He probably entered this season expecting to declare for the draft after the season. Instead he's looking at surgery, a long rehab, and 2 more years in college. Life sure threw him a curveball. I hope he doesn't get too discouraged through the process.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Id love to have Stewart stay.

I'd love to go on a date with

Not to be that guy, but Fall 2027 is a long ways away. Mullins in the NBA. 1 year of development for County and Landrew. Silas and Ross will be gone.

Ideally you pencil Solo back into the 2 spot, but County and definitely Landrew will be looking to start or simply leave. This assumes both County and Landrew are ready and show potential this coming season of course. Hurley probably needs to recruit a vet wing that can play the 2 or 3 next season, regardless with Solo missing 18+ months of game action.

So Solo will have to compete for that starting spot. Doubt Hurley will hand it to him.

It is as if some of you have never watched a game. It would not be the first time we have 3 "guards" on the same lineup. If by year 2 County cannot be the lead guard, then like Aidan, he is in the wrong team. But if he is ready, he and Ball would play 1-2 and Landrew would be the starter at 3. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Zero chance a non shooter is playing the

some good points here

Ruff I try to be open minded with you, but really??? No good points anywhere near this post. This young man could have bailed on us this year. He played through a serious injury, hurting his own reputation in the process (since the injured impaired his shooting) and never complained, on a team that was 6 points away from a national title. Listen, even if he does not play again (which I obviously do not wish), this young man earned every F------ dime that he gets. Shame on you for posting that. And shame on anyone who agreed with it.

 

[RuffRuff]

Ruff I try to be open minded with you, but really??? No good points anywhere near this post. This young man could have bailed on us this year. He played through a serious injury, hurting his own reputation in the process (since the injured impaired his shooting) and never complained, on a team that was 6 points away from a national title. Listen, even if he does not play again (which I obviously do not wish), this young man earned every F------ dime that he gets. Shame on you for posting that. And shame on anyone who agreed with it.

No doubt - you’re not curious as to how they are managing NIL?