New Commit: Uroš Paunović (Merged)

[HuskyFich]

how many years of eligibility?

 

[TheRick]

I understand the big guy depth, but another guard for this year?

Makes me wonder if Hurley is a little worried about Malachi Smith being injury prone. He's already hurt this summer. I am guessing this is a insurance policy against Malachi being hurt during the season and having Furphy as the backup.

 

[RuffRuff]

Makes me wonder if Hurley is a little worried about Malachi Smith being injury prone. He's already hurt this summer. I am guessing this is an insurance policy against Malachi being hurt during the season and having Furphy as the backup.

Thought the same thing - Dan Hurley went into last year with a total lack of backcourt insurance and now he’s stocking up on it.

 

[ec33]

how many years of eligibility?

Why wouldn't it be 4 years?

 

[Mooch82]

Why wouldn't it be 4 years?

He's 22 already so no way he would stay 4 years. I'm reading it's likely 2 years eligibility though I don't know the specifics. No way it makes sense for him to redshirt this year though as one poster mentioned.

The center just turned 18, so he is a freshman with 4 years eligibility.

 

[RuffRuff]

He's 22 already so no way he would stay 4 years. I'm reading it's likely 2 years eligibility though I don't know the specifics. No way it makes sense for him to redshirt this year though as one poster mentioned.

The center just turned 18, so he is a freshman with 4 years eligibility.

2 would make a lot of sense as he gets to jump into the rotation next year firmly with a year in the system, Malachi graduating and Hurley's continuing trend of not finding capable PG's at the HS level.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

2 would make a lot of sense as he gets to jump into the rotation next year firmly with a year in the system, Malachi graduating and Hurley's continuing trend of not finding capable PG's at the HS level.

lol. Castle was a PG no? I get your point in regards to the undersized Philly pair, but seems a bit dramatic to call it a trend

 

[RuffRuff]

lol. Castle was a PG no? I get your point in regards to the undersized Philly pair, but seems a bit dramatic to call it a trend

Castle was 6'6" and played the 3 primarily while here. He played mainly off ball and was generally seen as our perimeter defensive stopper. Not sure I'd really look at him as a traditional PG situation. I don't think Hurley is handing the ball off to any freshman to run our offense. It's a catch 22, if you're that good as a frosh you don't want to sit, if you're not, then you're just not good enough.

Between Silas, Newton, Cole, Smith, Hassan, I'd say it's safe to say trend is moving towards mature PGs.

 

[El Obrero]

Would you say we now have a plethora of players?

A veritable plethora, yes.
But I’m confused. Why don’t any of these announcements indicate when these players are joining the team? Can players still be added to the ‘25 roster?

 

[BugsyCT]

 

[ec33]

He's 22 already so no way he would stay 4 years. I'm reading it's likely 2 years eligibility though I don't know the specifics. No way it makes sense for him to redshirt this year though as one poster mentioned.

The center just turned 18, so he is a freshman with 4 years eligibility.

But he would still have 4 years of eligibility. Sure, he is unlikely to use them. Also in this freshman class, Mullins and Reibe are also unlikely to use their 4 years of eligibility. But they all still have it.

 

[NJHoops]

A veritable plethora, yes.
But I’m confused. Why don’t any of these announcements indicate when these players are joining the team? Can players still be added to the ‘25 roster?

Sure. They’re here for 25-26. Apostolos and Yarin 2.0 and if they contribute anything now or later, all the better!

 

[HooperScooper]

A veritable plethora, yes.
But I’m confused. Why don’t any of these announcements indicate when these players are joining the team? Can players still be added to the ‘25 roster?

UConn men's basketball and head coach Dan Hurley have announced the addition of a pair of international prospects for the upcoming campaign. Rrezon Elezaj and Uroš Paunovic will matriculate in Storrs this fall to round out the 2025-26 roster.

Huskies Add Rrezon Elezaj and Uroš Paunovic - University of Connecticut Athletics

STORRS – UConn men's basketball and head coach Dan Hurley have announced the addition of a pair of international prospects for the upcoming campaign. Rrezon ...

uconnhuskies.com

 

[Hoophound]

A 22 year old Euro looking to spend a little time here is probably a very good player. If he weren't, he would go to a place where he could play and get noticed. It doesn't make sense to come sit on the bench and "develop" at 22 years old. My guess is that this kid is a pleasant surprise.

 

[huskyhaven]

If he were a 7’ Serbian center that play professionally I would get it

Edit- just saw the elazy thread sweet. Absolutely loaded.

 

[ElGuapo]

Would you say we now have a plethora of players?

Si

 

[TheShot1990]

Si

Love your moniker but…
“ I don’t think you understand what a plethora is”

 

[DisabledVet]

Would you say we now have a plethora of players?

At a minimum a bevy of players

 

[Lafayette]

Well this is interesting after the Illinois home and home was announced, we get a spy on our bench?

 

[sledog]

Paunovic to wear #10, and Elezaj #77. Is 77 real given what I thought the 5 finger rule says ??

 

[auror]

Paunovic to wear #10, and Elezaj #77. Is 77 real given what I thought the 5 finger rule says ??

5 finger rule was changed.

 

[auror]

But he would still have 4 years of eligibility. Sure, he is unlikely to use them. Also in this freshman class, Mullins and Reibe are also unlikely to use their 4 years of eligibility. But they all still have it.

No, the NCAA has been deducting years of eligibility for seasons of ball played post what would be the equivalent of high school in Euro leagues (and sometimes depending on how much money you made), generally plus a gap year. It's slightly case by case. Also depends if you threaten to sue them or not. They originally gave Zugic only one year for Creighton, but then gave him two more once he threatened to sue lol.