2026 Recruiting: Junior County

[bendm]

Bendm - we are not starting 4 stars out of this class. Ross moving to the 4 would be a stretch. The 2 and 3 are fairly interchangeable - we had Castle at the 3 two years ago

Isn’t samuels a 5*? I’ve been told a hundred times Hurley will never go more than 9 deep so that leaves a hole at backup PF unless Ross can fill it.

 

[auror]

Perhaps a backup to Mingo or maybe he's willing to work into the very back end of the 2/3 rotation to pull a starters role in Year 2. That type of recruit is really about the kid, character, willingness to develop and be part of a winning program. Alternative is to do what Darius Adams did, get the cheap minutes at a second rate program to get PT. This is the the trickery of HS recruiting.

But even as a backup option to Mingo, then you're still running into the problem of "I don't see Hurley going into another season (like last) relying on non lottery type freshman."

He's either being recruited to be in the rotation or he's not. It's one thing to pitch a kid "you're the backup PG or 2G" and then he gets squeezed out late in the year because we start only playing 1 backup guard (like Solo in '24). It's a whole other ball-game to recruit a top 50 kid as 3rd on the depth chart.

 

[HooperScooper]

Isn’t samuels a 5*?

Top 20ish but generally just outside the 5* ranking (not that the stars matter since the cut off between 5 and 4 stars is kind of arbitrary). He’s probably a top 10 scorer in this class but he didn’t show much of anything else in his game this past summer to be overall top 10. That’s at least what I read from the recruiting analysts.

 

[navery12]

Was Castle recruited as a wing? If Mingo comes, he's not backing up Demary, so his only real slot in the starting lineup would be that jumbo playmaker role. Which he fits really well and is an easy sell to say "we just had a tall PG play this role get picked top 5".

I only think we can recruit Mingo+(Samuels or Landrew) if we think both Braylon and Ball are going pro.

I guess it's a distinction without a difference, but I'd say Castle was recruited as a guard and we started 3 guards to get him on the court and I'd expect we do the same with Mingo.

I just feel like Mingo is in his own tier, where he'd come in and immediately start on day 1, and guys like Landrew or Samuels still fit as the backup behind our starting 3 and Stewart. I could be wrong though

 

[Lafayette]

I think the odds are LOW that none of Demary, Ball, Stewart are going pro next year.

If that trio makes the jump like we have heard Solo has again (AK interview) or Stewart (Hurley interview) and Demary knows what he needs to do after testing the NBA already it stands reasonably that at least one will.

 

[Drame]

The County PT comment was really just in reference to the point about him having an opportunity in 2027. In an ideal world that makes sense but I don't think kids work that way anymore, they want to play immediately.

Not sure what we'd do in that scenario of County and no Mingo. County seems fine as a backup CG off the bench and maybe bring in a veteran PG to play behind Demary. But it's a tough call to make now. If we only get Landrew or Samuels then maybe that opens up more minutes for Furphy at the 3, lots of moving pieces

Not at all. Jacob Furphy was unranked when he committed here, Jayden Ross was ranked 179, Jacob Ross was unranked when he committed. Junior County is ranked 29 right now, the playing time expectations are not in the same stratosphere

A top 30 kid should not expect to start or get any specific amount of minutes at Uconn. Obviously you want him to play a good role but he has the same ranking as Nowell and this is a weak class on top of that. Plus kids are getting paid according to their ranking, more or less. They are probably recruiting him based on his attitude relative to his ranking.

 

[RuffRuff]

A top 30 kid should not expect to start or get any specific amount of minutes at Uconn. Obviously you want him to play a good role but he has the same ranking as Nowell and this is a weak class on top of that. Plus kids are getting paid according to their ranking, more or less. They are probably recruiting him based on his attitude relative to his ranking.

There was a ton of feedback out of Peach Jam this year that this class is really thin in top end talent and there isn’t a lot of separation after Stokes, but a lot of depth. A kid like Stokes would not have been top 5 last year. That means you can get the same caliber of player at 30 that you can at 2. So I’m not sure this is a year where rankings correlate to pay as much as value does. And it’s generally where the staff is spending their time outside of Mingo, inside that 20-30.

And I agree with this, issue is that kids these days want to play and have those options in the portal era. So I think Hurley is trying to find those unique high upside kids that want to be part of something and are willing to be patient. Whether he lands them who knows. It feels like a tough sell, especially after you saw two kids walk last year for those reasons.

It’s easy to get excited about rankings but they mean different things year to year. Mullins would have likely been a top 5 kid in the 2026 class. I’m not getting too overworked about these kids, put faith in the staff.

 

[navery12]

A top 30 kid should not expect to start or get any specific amount of minutes at Uconn. Obviously you want him to play a good role but he has the same ranking as Nowell and this is a weak class on top of that. Plus kids are getting paid according to their ranking, more or less. They are probably recruiting him based on his attitude relative to his ranking.

In theory that's nice, but in this portal era I'm just not sure it's realistic. Kids want to play and when they can freely move around every year there's very little incentive to sit on the bench. I'm not saying this is exactly what happened with Darius Adams, but if you're him and UConn tells you there's no minutes as a freshman but you're going to be a rotation guy year 2, why wouldn't you go play somewhere else at a lower level for 1 year?

 

[RuffRuff]

In theory that's nice, but in this portal era I'm just not sure it's realistic. Kids want to play and when they can freely move around every year there's very little incentive to sit on the bench. I'm not saying this is exactly what happened with Darius Adams, but if you're him and UConn tells you there's no minutes as a freshman but you're going to be a rotation guy year 2, why wouldn't you go play somewhere else at a lower level for 1 year?

Pitch to County is probably this: come in here, learn the system for a year and play with some strong upper class kids you can learn from. Kill it in practice and in whatever minutes you get and you have as good a chance to start in this program as anyone year 2. Got to think he’s brutally honest. If the kid would rather go somewhere they get instant minutes, move on. Call me in the portal. If anything I think Hurley would start pivoting down the rankings if this wave doesn’t bite, bring in a couple lower ranked kids that buy into and carry culture.

 

[husky429]

bring in a couple lower ranked kids that buy into and carry culture.

I have a feeling we'll see more and more euros because of this.

 

[superjohn]

Pitch to County is probably this: Call me in the portal. If anything I think Hurley would start pivoting down the rankings if this wave doesn’t bite.

If anything I think Hurley would start pivoting down the rankings if this wave doesn’t bite, bring in a couple lower ranked kids that buy into and carry culture.

Nope, this goes against everything Hurley has said about roster construction now.

 

[auror]

 

[Lafayette]

Furphy’s American twin?

 

[RuffRuff]

Nope, this goes against everything Hurley has said about roster construction now.

We'll see - HS recruiting is a year to year, fluid and evolving process. I feel pretty confident one thing Hurley will want is kids that maintain culture year over year. If it's shapeable HS kids, it's likely with an expectation not to get a lot of minutes in year one. Maybe he gets them in the 20-35 range. If he can't land those higher rated kids to buy in, I can see him stocking up the roster with a couple later ranked kids to stash on the bench that are really bought in. Like a Ross.

 

[auror]

Furphy’s American twin?

Similar offensive versatility and intangibles. But differing strengths so actually pretty good complements. Furphy better shooter and probably a better scorer overall, probably further along as a pick and roll operator and making reads, too. County quicker, better defender and athlete, better finisher at the rim.

 

[Conndog]

Similar offensive versatility and intangibles. But differing strengths so actually pretty good complements. Furphy better shooter and probably a better scorer overall, probably further along as a pick and roll operator and making reads, too. County quicker, better defender and athlete, better finisher at the rim.

Love what I see of County’s defense, he moves his feet and stance to quickly react to the offensive player’s moves.

 

[auror]

Love what I see of County’s defense, he moves his feet and stance to quickly react to the offensive player’s moves.

Yeah he doesn't have the physical tools and monster wingspan of like a Mingo, but it's refreshing to see someone who gives a crap about defense in upper level HS and AAU ball. He's a 3 HS in 3 years kid, but seems to have gotten good coaching along the way. He's kind of like discount Jalen Suggs.

 

[bendm]

If Trilly is right about Mingo and Cloer how do we hope Hurley fills out his trademark 9 man rotation? 1) County, plus 2) either a transfer SF or Samuels or Landrew, and 3) a transfer backup C?

Demary / County
Ball / Furphy
Transfer or Samuels or Landrew / Ross
Stew
Reibe / Transfer

Questions:
1. Who starts at SF? I don’t think a frosh other than Mingo was elevating this roster to where it needs to be so I’d pass on Samuels/Landrew in favor of a transfer that can start at SF and play backup stretch PF. Preferably not a senior.
2. Who’s the backup PF? See answer to question 1, but if we get Samuels or Landrew then a beefed up senior Ross seems to be the only option.

 

[navery12]

If Trilly is right about Mingo and Cloer how do we hope Hurley fills out his trademark 9 man rotation? 1) County, plus 2) either a transfer SF or Samuels or Landrew, and 3) a transfer backup C?

Demary / County
Ball / Furphy
Transfer or Samuels or Landrew / Ross
Stew
Reibe / Transfer

Questions:
1. Who starts at SF? I don’t think a frosh other than Mingo was elevating this roster to where it needs to be so I’d pass on Samuels/Landrew in favor of a transfer that can start at SF and play backup stretch PF. Preferably not a senior.
2. Who’s the backup PF? See answer to question 1, but if we get Samuels or Landrew then a beefed up senior Ross seems to be the only option.

Did I miss something Trilly said about Mingo?

 

[bendm]

Did I miss something Trilly said about Mingo?

Wow my bad. People were talking about Mingo in the Cloer thread and I thought someone posted he made a prediction for both

 

[80shusky]

If Trilly is right about Mingo and Cloer how do we hope Hurley fills out his trademark 9 man rotation? 1) County, plus 2) either a transfer SF or Samuels or Landrew, and 3) a transfer backup C?

Demary / County
Ball / Furphy
Transfer or Samuels or Landrew / Ross
Stew
Reibe / Transfer

Questions:
1. Who starts at SF? I don’t think a frosh other than Mingo was elevating this roster to where it needs to be so I’d pass on Samuels/Landrew in favor of a transfer that can start at SF and play backup stretch PF. Preferably not a senior.
2. Who’s the backup PF? See answer to question 1, but if we get Samuels or Landrew then a beefed up senior Ross seems to be the only option.

I think Landrew will be a player. I was hoping for Mingo, Cloer and Landrew. If Trilly ends up correct you hope to get the other two and if they can't find a Cloer as a frosh hit the portal.

 

[Drame]

If Trilly is right about Mingo and Cloer how do we hope Hurley fills out his trademark 9 man rotation? 1) County, plus 2) either a transfer SF or Samuels or Landrew, and 3) a transfer backup C?

Demary / County
Ball / Furphy
Transfer or Samuels or Landrew / Ross
Stew
Reibe / Transfer

Questions:
1. Who starts at SF? I don’t think a frosh other than Mingo was elevating this roster to where it needs to be so I’d pass on Samuels/Landrew in favor of a transfer that can start at SF and play backup stretch PF. Preferably not a senior.
2. Who’s the backup PF? See answer to question 1, but if we get Samuels or Landrew then a beefed up senior Ross seems to be the only option.

You dont pass on Landrew or Samuels if they want to come here. They are both excellent players and they are interested. We dont know what players are going to be in the transfer portal or how much they are going to cost. You acquire talent now and you acquire talent later.

 

[KingAG]

Word is County to The Huskies

 

[DD311]

Trilly just posted Hurley on X!!

 

[UConnKev]

 

[CL82]

Still can’t wrap my head around the idea that someone named Junior County isn’t a center. Shouldn’t that be a big man’s name?

For me it always reminds me of this obscure Bruce Campbell TV show:

 

[aburks41]

Get Landrew next and we're all set for high school recruits for 2026. Big time get

 

[Son of Robert]

@auror with some good posts in this thread, some good info on J. County. Thanks!

 

[uchusky32]

Does this mean we’re out with Mingo?

 

[auror]

Does this mean we’re out with Mingo?

I don't think necessarily, but as Trilly has said, it's going to be both a slog and an annoying recruitment, so we may take a surer thing in the meantime if it manifests.