2025 Recruiting: New Commit: Rrezon Elezay

[Palatine]

Many on the BY thought that Clingan was a project that would only see a few minutes on the floor his freshman year. We know even less about Rrezon than we did about DC.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Many on the BY thought that Clingan was a project that would only see a few minutes on the floor his freshman year. We know even less about Rrezon than we did about DC.

Ok taking the thread a bit off message but along the Rrezon path:

Starting line up next year:

Assuming Ball is entering the draft as is Mullins

Demary (runs it back like Tristen)
Holt or another high level combo guard recruit but a freshman
Furphy
Stewart
Reibe

Center: Rrezon if he pans out and I am going to say he is going to get a shot next year.
Four- transfer portal four and as we know they are hard to find so maybe we pick up a four star with high end talent.
Guard Uros and certainly some transfer portal help in this area.

 

[RuffRuff]

Ok taking the thread a bit off message but along the Rrezon path:

Starting line up next year:

Assuming Ball is entering the draft as is Mullins

Demary (runs it back like Tristen)
Holt or another high level combo guard recruit but a freshman
Furphy
Stewart
Reibe

Center: Rrezon if he pans out and I am going to say he is going to get a shot next year.
Four- transfer portal four and as we know they are hard to find so maybe we pick up a four star with high end talent.
Guard Uros and certainly some transfer portal help in this area.

Let’s not forget the fact this year is a stacked draft and next year is a weak one, may push some to stick around. Solo didn’t test the process last year so not sure he’s that NBA antsy, and it would seem he’s got lots to work on before his stock really takes off.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Let’s not forget the fact this year is a stacked draft and next year is a weak one, may push some to stick around. Solo didn’t test the process last year so not sure he’s that NBA antsy, and it would seem he’s got lots to work on before his stock really takes off.

I agree on the Ball assessment not sure how popular that point of view is with the BY collective so I just chose to make the assumption in favor but if he is not way better defensively and has not found a right hand finish or two he will need more time. He really has to figure out how to maximize the god givens he has. That wingspan which is really evident in the photo from the Orioles first pitch is something that he should be able to use to his advantage when he goes to the hoop.

 

[Scrutineer]

Agree. Elezay has no bearing on Diane or Kieta coming here. Elezay will be lucky if he sees 2-3 minutes of playing time this year and 10-15 minutes next year.
In regards to next year, if Diane came to UConn, IMO, the staff would have went with Reibe and Diane as the primary centers with Elezay still a developmental player. Assuming Diane and Kieta go elsewhere as many think, IMO, we will get an experienced big to play alongside Reibe at center while Elezay continuing as a developmental player.

The staff sounds like they believe he has a lot to offer so why go so negative about the next DC?

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

I would think substituting Komoro for Furphy in that final five is more likely.

I think most likely is pursuing a transfer to start in that spot. But if we had to choose someone from this team, I would think Ross would get the nod over Koroma. Also, Koroma would be out of eligibility I think?

 

[Mister P]

The staff sounds like they believe he has a lot to offer so why go so negative about the next DC?

Negative ? I said, just like Hurley said, he is a developmental player. Developmental players don’t get a lot of game minutes. They get better and learn more from more one on one coaching during practices while going up against more polished players during those practices.
Im optimistic about this signing. His time may come, but it wouldn’t be for a couple of years.
I’d also hold off for now on him becoming the next DC.

 

[RuffRuff]

Negative ? I said, just like Hurley said, he is a developmental player. Developmental players don’t get a lot of game minutes. They get better and learn more from more one on one coaching during practices while going up against more polished players during those practices.
Im optimistic about this signing. His time may come, but it wouldn’t be for a couple of years.
I’d also hold off for now on him becoming the next DC.

I look at him as nothing but a potential high upside stash and develop. If it works, amazing, if not, no loss. Go get the next guy. They’ll know in year one if he’s worth the investment. It could be smart to always have one developmental big on roster.

 

[Lafayette]

And yet how would we rate this guy vs say Singare?

 

[Ricker]

I think Singare was as playable a center as Samson Johnson was early on. Singare had a way to be effective as a lob threat, rebounder, and shot blocker, but just didn't have the girth and strength often needed. When we recruited him the talk was he was a 7 footer but I think 6'10 was more like it. When I watched him before he came to UConn, Singare was in the midst of shooting 0 for 13 from the free throw line which always worried me. He seemed effective in his limited minutes but I always wondered if he was still awful at the line and whether that contributed to not seeing the court. I would have been happy if Singare stayed and comfortable with him getting some court time when Reed and Reibe were in foul trouble. I can understand he wanted to play more and wish him well. Singare will be on TV the first day of the season on espn I believe. At least Elezay seems to be a true 7 footer. One writeup I saw from international writers thought that he was good enough to compete with Reibe. I have no opinion but even if he has actual talent, he must have a longggg way to go to learn the system, adapt to America, adapt to school, etc. For these reasons, hard to envision any possible role in his first semester, then hard to really break into a role in the second semester after the team has settled into a rotation.

 

[cwh20]

Looks like a young Travis knight

I have to ask. Some of you must have subscribed to The Blue and White for Husky updates. I wonder if the publishers are part of the Boneyard? Probably. Anyway it was great to get recruiting news pre internet and they did a great job. However, they featured recruits Travis Knight and Ray Allen in the same issue. Their pictures were featured but the names were switched making Travis the black recruit. Haha. You couldn’t check on that back then and found out later. The comment I’m replying to made me think of that again.

 

[Coach J]

I think most likely is pursuing a transfer to start in that spot. But if we had to choose someone from this team, I would think Ross would get the nod over Koroma. Also, Koroma would be out of eligibility I think?

I was referring to the final 5 off our bench this year, that someone said would include Furphy but not Komora.

 

[Lafayette]

I was referring to the final 5 off our bench this year, that someone said would include Furphy but not Komora.

The bottom five (if we agree the top 10 are in somewhat of a rotation of decent minutes):

1. Alex Karaban
2. Solo Ball
3. Silas Demary, Jr.
4. Tarris Reed, Jr.
5. Braylon Mullins
6. Malachi Smith - backs Demary
7. Jaylen Stewart - backs Mullins
8. Eric Reibe - backs Reed
9, Dwayne Koroma - backs AK
10. Jacob Furphy - can back 1, 2, 3 spots
-------------------------
11. Jayden Ross
12. Alec Millender
13. Jacob Ross
14. Elezay
15. Panovic

Furphy has done much (U19 especially) to show his hi BBIQ, great lefty drive, good 3pt shooter, gritty defender, point guard ability to be 1-5 minutes in mop up time.

Feel free to juggle 1-7 as Stewart might be 5 and Mullins 6 but it doesn't matter really as long as they are in the top 10.

Jayden Ross has to prove he can deliver in actual game time and not just be a college basketball practice deity.

 

[RuffRuff]

The bottom five (if we agree the top 10 are in somewhat of a rotation of decent minutes):

1. Alex Karaban
2. Solo Ball
3. Silas Demary, Jr.
4. Tarris Reed, Jr.
5. Braylon Mullins
6. Malachi Smith
7. Jaylen Stewart
8. Eric Reibe
9, Dwayne Koroma
10. Jacob Furphy
-------------------------
11. Jayden Ross
12. Alec Millender
13. Jacob Ross
14. Elezay
15. Panovic

Furphy has done much (U19 especially) to show his hi BBIQ, great lefty drive, good 3pt shooter, gritty defender, point guard ability to be 1-5 minutes in mop up time.

Feel free to juggle 1-7. Jayden Ross has to prove he can deliver in actual game time and not just be a college basketball practice deity.

The 9-11 is up for debate, but at this point it's anybody's guess as to how it will play out. What Ross has going for him is that Hurley's clearly likes him, and given he came back with no guarantee on time, will probably be rewarded with every opportunity to get minutes as a "program kid". I'd like to call it a meritocracy, but it's also been pretty clear Hurley has binkies. The top 8 look like a decent bet.

 

[auror]

The bottom five (if we agree the top 10 are in somewhat of a rotation of decent minutes):

1. Alex Karaban
2. Solo Ball
3. Silas Demary, Jr.
4. Tarris Reed, Jr.
5. Braylon Mullins
6. Malachi Smith - backs Demary
7. Jaylen Stewart - backs Mullins
8. Eric Reibe - backs Reed
9, Dwayne Koroma - backs AK
10. Jacob Furphy - can back 1, 2, 3 spots
-------------------------
11. Jayden Ross
12. Alec Millender
13. Jacob Ross
14. Elezay
15. Panovic

Furphy has done much (U19 especially) to show his hi BBIQ, great lefty drive, good 3pt shooter, gritty defender, point guard ability to be 1-5 minutes in mop up time.

Feel free to juggle 1-7 as Stewart might be 5 and Mullins 6 but it doesn't matter really as long as they are in the top 10.

Jayden Ross has to prove he can deliver in actual game time and not just be a college basketball practice deity.

I would definitely swap Jayden Ross and Koroma. Stewart will play the 4 when AK goes out and Ross will very likely be in the rotation.

 

[Lafayette]

I would definitely swap Jayden Ross and Koroma. Stewart will play the 4 when AK goes out and Ross will very likely be in the rotation.

Fair. It's all chalk at this point and really, it's positional to a degree so if any starter has to miss even 2-3 games that opens the playing minutes for their direct backup and then the 3rd string.

 

[Palatine]

The bottom five (if we agree the top 10 are in somewhat of a rotation of decent minutes):

1. Alex Karaban
2. Solo Ball
3. Silas Demary, Jr.
4. Tarris Reed, Jr.
5. Braylon Mullins
6. Malachi Smith - backs Demary
7. Jaylen Stewart - backs Mullins
8. Eric Reibe - backs Reed
9, Dwayne Koroma - backs AK
10. Jacob Furphy - can back 1, 2, 3 spots
-------------------------
11. Jayden Ross
12. Alec Millender
13. Jacob Ross
14. Elezay
15. Panovic

Furphy has done much (U19 especially) to show his hi BBIQ, great lefty drive, good 3pt shooter, gritty defender, point guard ability to be 1-5 minutes in mop up time.

Feel free to juggle 1-7 as Stewart might be 5 and Mullins 6 but it doesn't matter really as long as they are in the top 10.

Jayden Ross has to prove he can deliver in actual game time and not just be a college basketball practice deity.

Everyone with eyes knows Jayden Ross is not #11. The kid is busting with potential. He is already one of the best defenders on the team. Shame on you.

 

[husky429]

Everyone with eyes knows Jayden Ross is not #11. The kid is busting with potential. He is already one of the best defenders on the team. Shame on you.

This is an unusually emotional reaction to a lineup projection.

 

[RuffRuff]

This is an unusually emotional reaction to a lineup projection.

Clearly your sarcasm radar isn't fully operating today.

 

[pj]

I would definitely swap Jayden Ross and Koroma. Stewart will play the 4 when AK goes out and Ross will very likely be in the rotation.

Yeah, Furphy is 9 and Koroma gets 3rd center minutes. Not more than a 9-man rotation by February. Ross may be #10 unless he's stepped up.

 

[mauconnfan]

Koroma will play, it’s somewhat situational depending on Alex, Reibe and of course Tarris. But he’s getting minutes in the 5/4 spots in many games, how many depends.

 

[Lafayette]

It's preseason and lineup projects are the only form of speculation allowed because it's just fun for many to chalk a lineup and discuss. It literally means nothing as:

1. Anyone can make a leap in talent over the Summer.
2. Some players are just not multi-positional meaning if Demary needs a rest, Malachi Smith is almost certainly replacing him unless already out there then our 3rd string PG could be Furphy or Millender going in and not Koroma or Reibe. But if Alex needs a breather of course Smith is not going in for him. So positions after the first 5 are blind darts against the wall.
3. Even the most minor injuries open the door for the next player down. By all accounts Malachi Smith is coming back before the season starts, so in the Summer there were 3-4 practices and if Silas was on one team, who was point on the other? (really, let us know if you know).
4. Anyone pushing the Jayden Ross narrative as the team's best defender - equally fun chalk but we have not seen into practices for the likes of Furphy, Mullins, Demary, clearly not Smith, or if Ball or Stewart tightened up their D this Summer either. And practice has not translated well for Ross in games. He is somewhat invisible, has a hesitant offensive game, but I truly hope he has leveled up. Time will tell.

On a personal note, I am probably the last person who would call someone here names, make assumptions on their character or their level of support for UConn, or really even judge. I don't do that. However, if teeing off on someone makes you feel better...keep it up if it's working for you.

 

[Umami Zen]

Haven't seen or read about a Rrezon sighting in Storrs yet. IIRC Hurley was quoted last week as saying something like "Just wait 'til Razor gets here". Is he on campus?

 

[RuffRuff]

It's preseason and lineup projects are the only form of speculation allowed because it's just fun for many to chalk a lineup and discuss. It literally means nothing as:

1. Anyone can make a leap in talent over the Summer.
2. Some players are just not multi-positional meaning if Demary needs a rest, Malachi Smith is almost certainly replacing him unless already out there then our 3rd string PG could be Furphy or Millender going in and not Koroma or Reibe. But if Alex needs a breather of course Smith is not going in for him. So positions after the first 5 are blind darts against the wall.
3. Even the most minor injuries open the door for the next player down. By all accounts Malachi Smith is coming back before the season starts, so in the Summer there were 3-4 practices and if Silas was on one team, who was point on the other? (really, let us know if you know).
4. Anyone pushing the Jayden Ross narrative as the team's best defender - equally fun chalk but we have not seen into practices for the likes of Furphy, Mullins, Demary, clearly not Smith, or if Ball or Stewart tightened up their D this Summer either. And practice has not translated well for Ross in games. He is somewhat invisible, has a hesitant offensive game, but I truly hope he has leveled up. Time will tell.

On a personal note, I am probably the last person who would call someone here names, make assumptions on their character or their level of support for UConn, or really even judge. I don't do that. However, if teeing off on someone makes you feel better...keep it up if it's working for you.

The easiest way to win in team sports is to exploit matchups. No better way to do that then having the ability to leverage a bench with a variety of unique pieces, and having matchup advantages. Dan Hurley had so few options last year, and very few advantages/depth. We went 7 deep, were playing with 3/4 of a PG (now we have 2). This year we could have multiple combos and and interesting twists on our rotation depending on who we play, tons of versatility. No one knows how it will play out but it’s nice to have those options. Swiss Army knife of a roster.

 

[husky429]

Haven't seen or read about a Rrezon sighting in Storrs yet. IIRC Hurley was quoted last week as saying something like "Just wait 'til Razor gets here". Is he on campus?

Everyone should be on campus. Classes have started. The guys who didn't get apartments in Storrs center (the lower NIL guys) are living in CT Hall IIRC.