2025 Recruiting: - Meleek Thomas wants to visit UConn | Page 8 | The Boneyard

2025 Recruiting: Meleek Thomas wants to visit UConn

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auror said:
It used to be more like a G League Ignite type thing that was designed to be a paid alternative to college (and maybe prep school, since a few guys came for multiple years). But with NIL they've pivoted to be more focused on the prep school age range and allowing the kids to then go to college. It's more like a basketball academy (several teams that play a "league" and also against other prep schools) now than "pro basketball".
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Kevin Ollie had something to do with it a couple of years ago.
 
ucp990411 said:
So are they actually high school students? Don’t they get paid?
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NIL money. It's basically one of those basketball powerhouse schools like Montverde except they have 6 teams.
 
husky429 said:
NIL money. It's basically one of those basketball powerhouse schools like Montverde except they have 6 teams.
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In your opinion because I respect it. What kind of odds do you put on Meleek going to college next year vs GLeague/NBA after OTE?
 
husky429 said:
There isn't a G-League team for kids who haven't been drafted anymore. I'm almost positive. NIL put a damper on that.
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On the opening day of men's March Madness, the NBA announced that it is shutting down the G League Ignite at the conclusion of this season. The developmental program was founded in 2020 as an alternative path to the NBA for graduating high school seniors, and offered players paychecks and a chance to compete against professional competition.

www.cbssports.com

G League Ignite shutting down: NBA cites NCAA's NIL policy as reason for ending developmental team

Bucks forward MarJon Beauchamp spoke about his experience with the G League Ignite after he learned the news
www.cbssports.com www.cbssports.com
 
Umami Zen said:
In your opinion because I respect it. What kind of odds do you put on Meleek going to college next year vs GLeague/NBA after OTE?
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His options are basically go to college or play in australian NBL next stars program these days. He will get paid a lot more in college. Extremely likely he plays in college. Very good chance that college is UConn.
 
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Drame said:
I don’t think they do. There are 8 OTE teams and they just play against themselves.
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Maybe that changed as they added more teams, but I know at one point they were playing against Bryce James and the Boozer twins. They probably have enough teams now they don't need to though
 
It's amazing how fast the Laker boost picked up, it's only been a couple days! I also can't state enough how impactful Steph Castle will be for recruiting guys like Meleek. Proving that he has top 5/10 draft stock while buying into our system and not needing to showcase himself at the expense of the team. Would love to have this guy!
 
HuskyCLT said:
It's amazing how fast the Laker boost picked up, it's only been a couple days! I also can't state enough how impactful Steph Castle will be for recruiting guys like Meleek. Proving that he has top 5/10 draft stock while buying into our system and not needing to showcase himself at the expense of the team. Would love to have this guy!
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Clingan as well. He went from being roughly ranked the 50th best player in his class to being a top half of the lottery draft pick. That speaks to the development players get in this program.
 
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HuskyCLT said:
It's amazing how fast the Laker boost picked up, it's only been a couple days! I also can't state enough how impactful Steph Castle will be for recruiting guys like Meleek. Proving that he has top 5/10 draft stock while buying into our system and not needing to showcase himself at the expense of the team. Would love to have this guy!
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I mean what Hurley has done to elevate himself (and the men's program) the last 2 months is the stuff of legends. Reject perhaps the most blue of the blue bloods (historically) and then follow that up by Dikembe'ing one of the most storied franchises in basketball period shortly after.

"I rejected Kentucky and the Lakers so I could recruit you to play for UConn". I mean how can you compete with that pitch? The back to back Nattys are almost an "oh, and btw". lol
 
HooperScooper said:

4. Five-Star Plus+ SG Meleek Thomas​

Meleek Thomas is a known scorer, an electric bucket-getter who can self create for clean looks from every level on the floor. Where he shined here, for me, is as a primary initiator. In the pick and roll, Thomas displayed patience, feel, and touch. Things were not rushed when the ball was in his hands and he did not force things, manipulating the defense and finding the open play. Thomas started the day with 15 points and 7 assists and he ended the day with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Already a five-star player across the board, this passing and processing might have opened up some new archetype outcome possibilities.

www.on3.com

NBPA Top 100 Camp: Day 2 Top Performers

On3’s Jamie Shaw discusses the top performers from day two of the 30th annual NBPA Top 100 Camp in Orlando, Florida.
www.on3.com www.on3.com
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Not for nothing, but some of these prospect writers need to be more clear. What the heck is the bold sentence supposed to mean? I'm assuming there were multiple games and those were his totals in each, but what a weird way to phrase it.
 
Meleek is currently scheduled for his OV June19-21.BBG Fundraiser at the Aqua Turf Club is scheduled for the 19th. Will be interesting to see how Dan/staff navigate both significant events to start his OV. I'm sure they've got it figured out. Sounds like the team and staff will be in Southington per press release.
 
Rico444 said:
Not for nothing, but some of these prospect writers need to be more clear. What the heck is the bold sentence supposed to mean? I'm assuming there were multiple games and those were his totals in each, but what a weird way to phrase it.
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Yes, 2 games that day. It probably is more clear from reading the entire article.
 
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Aura only goes so far. You still need to be able to match NIL numbers. A player might put a small discount on for the non monetary factors but let’s be real, these are job offers and total comp is a huge part of the story. Provided we have competitive comp, we’re at the top of the heap in terms of most other factors.
 
Where you land in the NBA draft is the biggest monetary factor for the "5* and high 4*". Even going from undrafted to middle 2nd round (Newton/Spencer) is/could be some good $'s.

Don't think much impact on a Flagg type kid but how many guys were way ahead of Castle when he committed and how about now?

Still not sure I understand how NIL (and whatever) works re minimum guarantee or "if you are a Paige Bueckers type potential media personality" you can be told "we can guarantee $$$ but with our exposure you'll probably way exceed that." Also, thought sneaker money had some impact on where players go, does being or not being Nike school have much impact on school decisions?
 
People wonder why we appear to not being too aggressive recruiting AJ Dybstanta. Could it be that Meleek is a one and done and Dan Hurley doesn’t want 2 one and dones the same year? Meleek looks like our priority.
 
Umami Zen said:
Meleek is currently scheduled for his OV June19-21.BBG Fundraiser at the Aqua Turf Club is scheduled for the 19th. Will be interesting to see how Dan/staff navigate both significant events to start his OV. I'm sure they've got it figured out. Sounds like the team and staff will be in Southington per press release.
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I think the BBfG dinner is only for the 2024 championship team, not the new guys. So I'd guess he'll be hanging out with the transfers and freshmen in Storrs
 
aburks41 said:
I think the BBfG dinner is only for the 2024 championship team, not the new guys. So I'd guess he'll be hanging out with the transfers and freshmen in Storrs
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Thought the release said that the crowd would also" be introduced to next year's team". Like I said -I'm sure they have it covered. I don't know about the NCAA rules on recruiting protocol re: NIL events-fundraisers and their ability to attend or not.

His visit is obviously tremendously important for UConn as is this event for recognition-NIL-fundraising purposes. If Meleek could be there/can be there--What an introduction to the UConn Family.
 
Umami Zen said:
Thought the release said that the crowd would also" be introduced to next year's team". Like I said -I'm sure they have it covered. I don't know about the NCAA rules on recruiting protocol re: NIL events-fundraisers and their ability to attend or not.

His visit is obviously tremendously important for UConn as is this event for recognition-NIL-fundraising purposes. If Meleek could be there/can be there--What an introduction to the UConn Family.
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Ah gotcha. Maybe they'll make him buy a ticket lmao
 
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Umami Zen said:
Thought the release said that the crowd would also" be introduced to next year's team". Like I said -I'm sure they have it covered. I don't know about the NCAA rules on recruiting protocol re: NIL events-fundraisers and their ability to attend or not.

His visit is obviously tremendously important for UConn as is this event for recognition-NIL-fundraising purposes. If Meleek could be there/can be there--What an introduction to the UConn Family.
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Yeah I thought the incoming freshmen were included in the dinner.
 
ucp990411 said:
People wonder why we appear to not being too aggressive recruiting AJ Dybstanta. Could it be that Meleek is a one and done and Dan Hurley doesn’t want 2 one and dones the same year? Meleek looks like our priority.
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Unless we win the title again, we're going to have 3 to 4 guys at his position who are juniors and sophomores. Could be the reason. He is still growing and could play stretch 4 perhaps.
 
TheChamps990411 said:
We are. Im no expert but i think Meleek could start a domino effect if he commits here.
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I’m sure part of our pitch to Thomas is getting him committed and talking to Dybantsa and the stretch 4 whose name escapes me. It might give us the confidence to go all in on Acuff as well.
 
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