2025 Recruiting: Meleek Thomas Electic Boogaloo

[Deleted at users request]

We can't say for certain Castle would've been drafted #4 or if he would've dropped if he went elsewhere because he didn't go elsewhere. We do know top kids in his class Isaiah Collier, Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw, Ja'Kobe Walter, DJ Wagner, Aday Mara, Elmarko Jackson went elsewhere and dropped. I think Castle's game and his draft stock benefitted by playing for this coaching staff and starting for the best college basketball team of the modern era.

Fwiw, it was an incredibly weak class. Feel like anyone with eyes could see guys like Wagner and Edwards were grossly overrated coming out.

Feel like we already knew going into the season Castle was the best guard in the class.

 

[TheHorde]

Fwiw, it was an incredibly weak class. Feel like anyone with eyes could see guys like Wagner and Edwards were grossly overrated coming out.

Feel like we already knew going into the season Castle was the best guard in the class.

Did Hurley want Edwards? Do you think Hurley has a good eye for talent?

 

[husky429]

Did Hurley want Edwards? Do you think Hurley has a good eye for talent?

We were all over Edwards.

We've had plenty of misses at UConn, and he may have been one. tgere's no shame in that. But Hurley and the staff hit more often than not. It's about and development, not getting every single kid right

 

[Jbirdp5]

Ask Justin Edwards or DJ Wagner how much those mega bucks helped them and if they’d like a do over.

Wagner obviously didn't want a do over without Cal. He followed him to Arkansas

 

[TheHorde]

Wagner obviously didn't want a do over without Cal. He followed him to Arkansas

For year 2, yup. Well I guess if you can’t make bank in the draft, NIL is a good gig.

 

[superjohn]

Fwiw, it was an incredibly weak class. Feel like anyone with eyes could see guys like Wagner and Edwards were grossly overrated coming out.

Feel like we already knew going into the season Castle was the best guard in the class.

All their draft stocks dropped like a rock.

 

[navery12]

I feel like some of you people think we're recruiting in 1980 still. NIL is here to stay and a kid wanting to make money in college doesn't make them the devil. It turns out kids who prioritize NIL sometimes get drafted and sometimes are busts, and kids who prioritize development sometimes get drafted and sometimes bust. It's almost like recruiting HS kids is a crapshoot

 

[Waquoit]

I feel like some of you people think we're recruiting in 1980 still. NIL is here to stay and a kid wanting to make money in college doesn't make them the devil.

Every year there are more 5-star recruits than lottery picks. For many (most?), this is their prime earning years.

 

[uconnbill]

why does almost every thread go off-topic?

I would like once to see it stay on topic, I know I am asking too much. I don't care what any player not connected with UConn does. Just don't care

 

[EBonz30]

Ask Justin Edwards or DJ Wagner how much those mega bucks helped them and if they’d like a do over.

DJ Wagner had a do over & still made the same decision- lol. Justin Edwards decided to go to the NBA so not sure if he regrets playing for Coach Cal.

 

[Deleted at users request]

All their draft stocks dropped like a rock.

Yes because it was overflated in the first place. I personally don’t know what made Wagner a top 5 player as a non elite athlete 6’3 combo guard. Nothing about his measurable screamed lottery.

Edwards was the opposite as a pure athlete with absolutely no skills.

Castle on the other hand was a 6’6 do it all PG. He was clearly always the better player. Rob was always the better player too whenever watching him play.

 

[TheHorde]

DJ Wagner had a do over & still made the same decision- lol. Justin Edwards decided to go to the NBA so not sure if he regrets playing for Coach Cal.

Where did Edwards get drafted? How much money might he have made with better development? And both were ranked higher than Castle was yet Castle is in the league, made a fortune, and is playing with Wemby hmmm. But yes enjoy sophomore year in Fayetteville, Arkansas, DJ.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Did Hurley want Edwards? Do you think Hurley has a good eye for talent?

I’m not sure tbh and he definitely does. He’s a great prospect, I just never believed he was looked like a top 5 guy. Or if he did he was pretty much Derick Jones Jr. or Stanley Johnson if anybody remembers those names.

Of course you want to coach them but they aren’t ready made instant impact guys. If he came here there’s honestly a chance he doesn’t play with how Hurley does things and with the talent we had.

 

[navery12]

Where did Edwards get drafted? How much money might he have made with better development? And both were ranked higher than Castle was yet Castle is in the league, made a fortune, and is playing with Wemby hmmm. But yes enjoy sophomore year in Fayetteville, Arkansas, DJ.

Why does Calipari get the blame for every top recruit who doesn't pan out, and get no credit for all the top guys in the NBA who he did nothing to develop and were just high ranked talented players? Don't you see the contradiction there?

 

[Deleted at users request]

Why does Calipari get the blame for every top recruit who doesn't pan out, and get no credit for all the top guys in the NBA who he did nothing to develop and were just high ranked talented players? Don't you see the contradiction there?

It’s hilarious seeing where Reed and Rob ended up in comparison to their rankings too.

For those wondering why they didn’t start, it’s for the same reason Hurley wouldn’t have started them. They didn’t play defense lol

 

[awy]

they didn't start because cal promised starting roles to higher ranked guys.

 

[superjohn]

It’s hilarious seeing where Reed and Rob ended up in comparison to their rankings too.

For those wondering why they didn’t start, it’s for the same reason Hurley wouldn’t have started them. They didn’t play defense lol

Reed plays defense.

 

[superjohn]

they didn't start because cal promised starting roles to higher ranked guys.

Correct.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

they didn't start because cal promised starting roles to higher ranked guys.

Like Adou Thiero and Antonio Reeves?

 

[uconngb]

It’s hilarious seeing where Reed and Rob ended up in comparison to their rankings too.

For those wondering why they didn’t start, it’s for the same reason Hurley wouldn’t have started them. They didn’t play defense lol

They didn’t start because their coach was a bonehead

 

[awy]

I mean if Kansas did land AJ it would impact UConn recruiting since it takes away a large portion of their budget

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

AceGoon, why go after any other poster personally on a message board? The whole point of this place is to share content, share thoughts about UConn and college hoops related content. Is it not? If you don’t like something, there is no need to attack the poster. Unless you’re AJ’s uncle. The Thomas thread is about recruiting, it’s about NIL, it’s about 5 star tracking. I’d say seeing where AJ is visiting is relevant. My lord with some of you. If you feel compelled to personal comments, I’d encourage you to man up and do it in person .

Yeah let’s all share addresses so the hardos can confront each other when they get their feelings hurt on a college basketball message board.

 

[superjohn]

Yeah let’s all share addresses so the hardos can confront each other when they get their feelings hurt on a college basketball message board.

I want to arm wrestle Jibsey.

 

[husky429]

Yeah let’s all share addresses so the hardos can confront each other when they get their feelings hurt on a college basketball message board.

Livestreamed mud wrestling and nothing less.

 

[navery12]

Yeah let’s all share addresses so the hardos can confront each other when they get their feelings hurt on a college basketball message board.

Let's expand Gampel and add a new section to the concourse. $20 entrance fee to the Boneyard Fight Club that goes straight to UConn NIL. We'll have the biggest budget within a week