2026 Recruiting: Junior County COMMITS to UConn

[ec33]

Junior County live on the NBA YouTube page right now. FWIW

FWIW, Finkelstein believes UConn might be finished in the backcourt with County and Landrew (who he appears to see as a formality, I guess?) and no longer overly concerned with Mingo. He is counting Ball, Demary, and possibly Mullins are potential returnees.

Murray walked into the building shortly thereafter so can perhaps clarify that for him.

 

[Excalibur]

In Hurley I trust but having watched some reels, looked at this stats, and read some reviews, I don't quite get why his ranking is so high? He's not a great shooter, particularly off the dribble, and he doesn't seem very athletic.

Can someone give me the upside here? What's a good comp? What do you reasonably expect?

I'm hardly the expert on HS recruiting, but I got a similar vibe last year with Adams.

Adams was/is hopelessly weak. This kid seems to have some beef.

 

[Son of Robert]

Watching the recruitment of Junior County on here, who the staff was in to see at this tournament, that tournament, what jumps out is that they were on County certainly since spring that I know of, and they never let up. He was one of their primary targets this whole cycle and they signed him. If you read the article below he had a very solid final 5 schools including Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, and Purdue. Adam Finklestein also weighs in with a brief scout on County.

https://www.courant.com/2025/10/02/uconn-mens-basketball-lands-first-2026-commitment-from-guard-junior-county/

 

[Mooch82]

FWIW, Finkelstein believes UConn might be finished in the backcourt with County and Landrew (who he appears to see as a formality, I guess?) and no longer overly concerned with Mingo. He is counting Ball, Demary, and possibly Mullins are potential returnees.

Murray walked into the building shortly thereafter so can perhaps clarify that for him.

Where did you see this from Finkelstein?

 

[ec33]

Where did you see this from Finkelstein?

He said it during the broadcast of the County game today.

 

[uconngb]

I’m with you. He seems like a solid all around and heady basketball player. But I am hoping we find a way to inject some athleticism into this class eventually. Cloer and Toure were my top choices there but it’s not too late for someone else to pop up.

If you don’t like him that gets me even more excited for his prospects.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Watching this game, County plays D and makes some nice passes, but his scoring is lacking.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Watching this game, County plays D and makes some nice passes, but his scoring is lacking.

Some nice makes in the second half, wish he was more assertive as a creator.

 

[Huskyforlife]

FWIW, Finkelstein believes UConn might be finished in the backcourt with County and Landrew (who he appears to see as a formality, I guess?) and no longer overly concerned with Mingo. He is counting Ball, Demary, and possibly Mullins are potential returnees.

Murray walked into the building shortly thereafter so can perhaps clarify that for him.

This wasn’t at all what he said fwiw.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I'm enamored with County's game. He's got a few sweet cuts to the hoop, some nice assists, and great defense. He just fronted and stole a pass to 6'6" athlete borderline 5* Cam Holmes.

I trust your opinion more than most on this stuff.

 

[RuffRuff]

This wasn’t at all what he said fwiw.

What did he say?

 

[auror]

I trust your opinion more than most on this stuff.

He's not going to be a day 1 star and he'll need time to hit some of the typical milestones. He's lacking that elite athletic pop, so he he might never actually be a true star at all. But I think he could be a star in his role type that announcers gush over doing all the little things and defending.

His downside is probably the guard version of Jayden Ross where coach loves him but it doesn't translate on the court for several years. Upside is bigger Tamin Lipsey, a reasonable expectation is like Jaden Bradley on Arizona who has been a solid contributor, two years in the rotation and then starter as a junior, contributing to winning but so far not a star.

 

[Palatine]

I couldn't find any info on his wingspan. But it is something that Hurley pays attention to as it is an advantage on defense and for rebounding. At this point any speculation when looking for comps is just that.

 

[RuffRuff]

He's not going to be a day 1 star and he'll need time to hit some of the typical milestones. He's lacking that elite athletic pop, so he he might never actually be a true star at all. But I think he could be a star in his role type that announcers gush over doing all the little things and defending.

His downside is probably the guard version of Jayden Ross where coach loves him but it doesn't translate on the court for several years. Upside is bigger Tamin Lipsey, a reasonable expectation is like Jaden Bradley on Arizona who has been a solid contributor, two years in the rotation and then starter as a junior, contributing to winning but so far not a star.

I think in today’s recruitment landscape and in particular with this class, per the Hurley method, a high floor kid that fits the system and should stick year over year is really valuable.

The great thing about this kid is he committed asap without hoopla. He’s all in.

 

[Son of Robert]

I think in today’s recruitment landscape and in particular with this class, per the Hurley method, a high floor kid that fits the system and should stick year over year is really valuable.

The great thing about this kid is he committed asap without hoopla. He’s all in.

Same thoughts here. Hurley sees a high-level bigger combo guard who will be a rock in the backcourt for the next few seasons. Demary may be here for his senior season, Solo too, so County is a very good building block in the backcourt who will get better each year.

 

[HooperScooper]

From The Border League this past weekend. FWIW.

4-star PG Junior County (UConn) played an excellent connecting role. Not super dynamic with the ball in his hands, but someone who can move the ball, get it to spots, and defend off ball with a little size. He is going to need to become a more consistent shooter and and add strength to help at the point of attack, but the floor is high with his game.

The Border League: Day 3 Top Performers

Rivals’ Jamie Shaw sat courtside for day three of The Birder League to discuss the top performers of the day.

www.on3.com

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:

The Border League: Day 3 Top Performers​

 

[HooperScooper]

Free access article from Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.

This is a commitment that I believe will be one we speak about years from now as a high-impact commitment. UConn obviously has brought home two national championships over the last few years and has the winning formula when it comes to March.

Adding County is a high-level move that makes perfect sense when it comes to systematic fit and getting a guy that will be more than ready when he arrives at the collegiate level.

Why is Junior County's commitment so crucial for UConn?

The Junior County commitment is one we could be talking about for years to come...

stockrisers.com

 

[aceboon]

 

[Lafayette]

He should be endorsed for NIL by Junior Mints…especially in his Junior year.

 

[drayenob]

 

[Waquoit]

Free access article from Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers...

I love reading stuff like that from people I've never heard of.

 

[444JR]

Scouting Tyran Stokes, Brandon McCoy, and the top prospects at the Border League

19 of the top 50 seniors in the country played at the Border League in Las Vegas this weekend.

247sports.com

No. 29 Junior County, 6-4, Wasatch Academy (UT)

His strength and balance, coupled with his size, is a major differentiator in the backcourt. He's also very naturally unselfish and able to be switchable defensively. As the jumper ideally continues to trend in the right direction, the other thing he could use is just a tad more assertiveness in moments. Coming off last week's commitment to UConn, it's easy to see how Dan Hurley's influence will help him in that pursuit.

 

[jibsey]

I like the way he fights through contact, his fakes to get shots off. Plenty for Hurley to work with huh?

 

[KingAG]

Between County and Landrew Hurley is recruiting size and toughness this cycle

 

[HooperScooper]

There was a flurry of coaches going to see the Ratliffs in like September after they got healthy, kinda came out of nowhere. Grapevine must have started.

UConn sent an assistant coach 3 weeks ago to check out the brothers. Kimani? That's usually his territory.