Jaylin Stewart in Portal

[uh-no]

Gift article - Why Jaylin Stewart made 'very, very hard decision' to leave UConn men's basketball for portal

After a tear-filled meeting (on both sides) with Dan Hurley, Stewart’s announcement was reported on Friday afternoon. The Seattle native has already been contacted by more than a dozen schools, including a few rival Big East programs.​

“I just hope he shines, flourishes and has fun,” said Jamar Jones, Stewart’s stepfather. “He had fun at UConn. There was never anything negative about fans, coaches, teammates, anyone, out of his mouth. The parents looked out for him like their own son when I wasn’t there.”​

But the playing time wasn’t what he had hoped, particularly this season after eschewing the portal and a likely bigger payday last year to stay in Storrs. And Hurley and the staff, who love the kid and have nothing but positive feelings towards him, were honest about his chances for a much bigger role this upcoming season. No promises.​

awful awful.

He's a husky through and through.

 

[RuffRuff]

He’s like one for the century on his hot takes and that one was only partially correct. His hot take was that Stew would start at the 4 this year so he’s clearly already wrong. Not sure we need to track and follow this one.

He embellishes when he’s right. Easily forget when he’s not.

 

[uconn_jack]

If people (you know who you are) can't appreciate players like Stewart and are glad he's gone thinking he's not "UConn caliber", then you deserve the soulless version of college basketball that has been taking over in this transfer portal and NIL era.

I on the other hand will support Hurley's efforts to maintain some semblance of the game and program we love, even if ultimately futile. I would rather that than be Michigan basketball or Indiana football. It may have been fun for them this year since those teams haven't had success for years, but trying to care about a team of single season mercenaries every year will get old quick.

I am not a fan of the NBA at all, but at least teams generally keep rosters together for a few years allowing you to care about the players. If something doesn't change, "college" sports (at least fball and bball) will be even harder to care about than pro sports.

 

[Dove]

You seem like a really unhappy person. Get some fresh air and log off for a bit.

It’s “dole,” by the way.

"D-o-l-e"

 

[BGesus4]

I remember karaban saying Stewart was killing him in practice everyday as a freshman. Talented guy who just needs the right team and the right role to really show out

 

[RashadRay11]

If people (you know who you are) can't appreciate players like Stewart and are glad he's gone thinking he's not "UConn caliber", then you deserve the soulless version of college basketball that has been taking over in this transfer portal and NIL era.

I on the other hand will support Hurley's efforts to maintain some semblance of the game and program we love, even if ultimately futile. I would rather that than be Michigan basketball or Indiana football. It may have been fun for them this year since those teams haven't had success for years, but trying to care about a team of single season mercenaries every year will get old quick.

I am not a fan of the NBA at all, but at least teams generally keep rosters together for a few years allowing you to care about the players. If something doesn't change, "college" sports (at least fball and bball) will be even harder to care about than pro sports.

Call them out. @campcalhoun2009

 

[UofCT]

This can't be serious, right?

Wait, are you serious? He just left the program. He’s going to graduate college with another coach and another jersey.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

A torrent of low quality posts flooding in here. Yeesh.

As with misspelling names, this forum has shown a real talent for speculation, hyperbole, outrage conditioned on things not known to be true, competitive certainties not based on verified facts, and other posts of dubious quality, ever since the excitement of the Hines announcement on Wednesday. However dismaying this may be, a seasoned observer wouldn't expect much different.

And now we are being seduced toward expectations of a good news day or two.

Bring some perspective, patience, and a sense of proportion to your day, and enjoy the ride.

Go Huskies.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Personally I want only the best for this kid and I absolutely want better than Cooley coaching him.

I imagine there are a number of locations where he can land and do very well.

 

[UofCT]

Personally I want only the best for this kid and I absolutely want better than Cooley coaching him.

I imagine there are a number of locations where he can land and do very well.

He could have stayed, been loyal, out work Khamenia or whoever else gets in his way (like what Ross did last season) instead he bounced. Thanks for the three years and if we ever face his new team I hope our guys destroy him.

 

[aceboon]

Can Hurley do Shaheen a solid and help get Stew to Seton Hall. I much prefer to see Stew there then Georgetown and yes I do fear Stew would torch us but prefer to see it with Seton Hall then Georgetown.

Hoping he can wind up somewhere that isn't doing a complete roster rebuild and with a coach a lil more offensive minded than Shaheen

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

He does a lot of told you so's when you nails his pool of calls, so can't let this one fly.

I never "nails his pool of calls." I don't even know what that means or could mean. Am I not "let(ting) this one fly" from you?

Separately considered, has the door closed shut on Jaylin killing it at the 4 somewhere other than UConn next season?

 

[campcalhoun2009]

He’s like one for the century on his hot takes and that one was only partially correct. His hot take was that Stew would start at the 4 this year so he’s clearly already wrong. Not sure we need to track and follow this one.

There were people calling for Hurley to bench Karaban for Stewart at multiple points this season….insanity.

It’s the same people talking about “kid loves the program” and stuff with him leaving, yet they were calling for Karaban to hit the bench.

 

[campcalhoun2009]

If people (you know who you are) can't appreciate players like Stewart and are glad he's gone thinking he's not "UConn caliber", then you deserve the soulless version of college basketball that has been taking over in this transfer portal and NIL era.

I on the other hand will support Hurley's efforts to maintain some semblance of the game and program we love, even if ultimately futile. I would rather that than be Michigan basketball or Indiana football. It may have been fun for them this year since those teams haven't had success for years, but trying to care about a team of single season mercenaries every year will get old quick.

I am not a fan of the NBA at all, but at least teams generally keep rosters together for a few years allowing you to care about the players. If something doesn't change, "college" sports (at least fball and bball) will be even harder to care about than pro sports.

You’re going to go into the season with multiple 4 year players (Ross and Ball), a Sophomore in Mullins we recruited, a transfer playing multiple years here (Silas), multiple Sophomore transfers (NK, Hines) that have a chance to play multiple years, and your freshman class.

Jettisoning a guy who had multiple chances to break out and didn’t so he can play at a program at the level he belongs and opens up a roster spot to bring in someone that might turn into something is just good roster management. This doesn’t make UConn St. John’s.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Can Hurley do Shaheen a solid and help get Stew to Seton Hall. I much prefer to see Stew there then Georgetown and yes I do fear Stew would torch us but prefer to see it with Seton Hall then Georgetown.

Given that we “acquired” Hines in a trade with Seton Hall, I’d be ok with them receiving JStew in return.

I’d even tolerate him going to Marquette now that Shaka grew out of his allergy to the Portal.

Most other BE teams, eww. Especially St. John’s or GTown.

 

[CL82]

Go be great Jaylin

Just gonna post this. I have to say it made me a little sad. I wish the best for Stewart.

 

[ctbro1999]

I remember karaban saying Stewart was killing him in practice everyday as a freshman. Talented guy who just needs the right team and the right role to really show out

Hope he gets starter minutes at some West Coast school. Would suck to see him suit up for another BE school (please not St Johns especially).

 

[RuffRuff]

Given that we “acquired” Hines in a trade with Seton Hall, I’d be ok with them receiving JStew in return.

I’d even tolerate him going to Marquette now that Shaka grew out of his allergy to the Portal.

Most other BE teams, eww. Especially St. John’s or GTown.

Get him out of the BE, let him play close to home.

Are you sure? AK is a gigantic shoe to fill for anybody..., not just 100 random guys...

As close as we'll find on the open market, outside of cloning AK.

 

[UCLJ0211]

Maybe he can follow Murray to BC. Would make a lot of sense.

 

[boog204]

While I would hope for better than GTown, it would be cool to have Jaylin have an away game and get cheered wildly every time he touched the ball.

 

[3rdbass]

Nice to see us get Nik from Duke. Whether he plays the 3 or 4 he gives us flexibility there like Stewie did but at a higher talent level.

 

[Husky Alien]

Please no, you can do better and we don't need to play you.

No not Georgetown please

 

[HW611]

Have to do some calling out of @HW611 on this one as he made one of his hot takes that Stew was going to kill it at the 4 this year. He does a lot of told you so's when you nails his pool of calls, so can't let this one fly.

You have to be really pressed to say I was wrong about a situation that never had a chance to happen lol

 

[RuffRuff]

You have to be really pressed to say I was wrong about a situation that never had a chance to happen lol

I'm going to make a call - the staff knows talent better than you

 

[HW611]

I'm going to make a call - the staff knows talent better than you

You’re assuming and putting words in my mouth because you’re pressed to say I’m wrong about something. Relax.

I promise there’s going to be something I’m wrong about you can pick out eventually. Saying I’m wrong about a situation that never happened is desperate.

 

[Magic32]

<eyes emoji >
“If a UConn game’s on,” Jones added, “I’ll still be cheering on Silas and Solo and Jayden and Braylon. There’s no bad tension or anything.”

Does he know something we don't?

 

[UConn Dan]

Does he know something we don't?

I think so. All the UConn parents have been tweeting at each other. Very supportive of each other. I’m sure he knows more than we do. Time will tell.

At least one more announcement today. The other one prob Monday. If you read the Borges article it’s pretty clear where things stand.

 

[aboogieee]

"real ones dont speak ill of stewart"

 

[HuskyHawk]

I appreciate that Hurley wouldn’t lie to him. He wasn’t going to start. I’m sad to lose a loyal Husky who wanted to stay, but I’m proud of the program for doing right by him. I know he visited Georgetown but he could probably find time at Washington if he wanted to go home. Kind of prefer if he doesn’t have to play us.

 

[jibsey]

Jalen must have known Nik was coming. I thank him for what he has given the program and wish him the best. Don’t go to St. John’s.