2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[Stinger92860]

Next Season as of Now:

PG: Ball, Nowell, D.Adams
Wings: Mahaney, Mullins, Ross, Stewart, Abraham, Bundalo?
Bigs: Reed, Reibe, Singare

I guess my point is the wings(outside of Mahaney) could all play the 3 or the 4 in a 4 out system. Yes, defensive matchups matter, but for the style of play I'm talking about, it would allow Hurley to maximize roster interoperability, allowing you to get a Stewart, Abraham and Mullins to be on the court at the same time.

Thats a solid F4 team if they can come together as only Danny can do

 

[RuffRuff]

Next Season as of Now:

PG: Ball, Nowell, D.Adams
Wings: Mahaney, Mullins, Ross, Stewart, Abraham, Bundalo?
Bigs: Reed, Reibe, Singare

I guess my point is the wings(outside of Mahaney) could all play the 3 or the 4 in a 4 out system. Yes, defensive matchups matter, but for the style of play I'm talking about, it would allow Hurley to maximize roster interoperability, allowing you to get a Stewart, Abraham and Mullins to be on the court at the same time.

Not sure it’s worth trying to figure this out now as a whole season to play and rosters are as fluid as ever in today’s world of portal. One interesting quote from Hurley this AM:

 

[TheHorde]

Not sure it’s worth trying to figure this out now as a whole season to play and rosters are as fluid as ever in today’s world of portal. One interesting quote from Hurley this AM:

It seems that as of right now Ball has the best chance outside of Alex and Liam to emerge and be a draft prospect next spring. It’s a long season and a lot can change, but he’s a logical pick to be a top 3 scorer on this year’s team.

 

[CL82]

Not sure it’s worth trying to figure this out now as a whole season to play and rosters are as fluid as ever in today’s world of portal. One interesting quote from Hurley this AM:

Hurley being Hurley, stoking the fire

 

[auror]

Not sure it’s worth trying to figure this out now as a whole season to play and rosters are as fluid as ever in today’s world of portal. One interesting quote from Hurley this AM:

Yeah agree with others. This is motivation season. But also I think Ross is pretty good, so it's a battle.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[navery12]

Update: Nobody knows anything

 

[ihatepants]

Update on Niko Bundalo
Niko Bundalo, a top-25 recruit in the class, named his final four schools earlier this month — UConn, Michigan State, Ohio State, and North Carolina.

The 6-foot-10 power forward has made official visits to each of his finalists.

At this point in the cycle, scholarships are being filled quickly.

Michigan State just landed a commitment from four-star forward Cam Ward.

Ohio State just landed a commitment from four-star forward A’mare Bynum.

This likely takes both the Spartans and Buckeyes out of consideration.

Could Bundalo decide to reopen his recruitment outside of his top four to see what other options he has? It’s possible. He’s previously considered schools like Pitt, Texas, Xavier, and others.

 

[HooperScooper]

Alternate access. Some stuff on Thomas in here also. Arkansas is the prediction. Makes sense and maybe there's some proof why UConn started to slip in his recruitment.

Recruiting Predictions and Buzz: Latest on several top 2025 prospects​

 

[ec33]

Update: Nobody knows anything

Bundalo is definitely a UConn-type prospect. It would be a shame to lose out on a prospect like this due to numbers and PT restrictions.

 

[GoConn]

I'm fine bringing in the 3 freshman (Mullins, Adams, Reibe) and then using portal to fill in whatever else next spring for 2025.

 

[Lambeau]

So much for On3's crystal ball for Niko to OSU; Tipton says Bynum "likely" takes them out, as with MSU.
That leaves UNC.

 

[navery12]

Bundalo is definitely a UConn-type prospect. It would be a shame to lose out on a prospect like this due to numbers and PT restrictions.

It would suck to miss on Bundalo, but missing on him because we already have 2 great 4's would be far from a shame. As much fun as it is to win recruiting battles, at some point you have to let the guys you recruit play

 

[RuffRuff]

So much for On3's crystal ball for Niko to OSU; Tipton says Bynum "likely" takes them out, as with MSU.
That leaves UNC.

This one has gotten borderline strange as if truly in high demand, feels like we'd be hearing more noise on him here in the early sign home stretch and with dominos falling fast. Meanwhile we have two of the less attractive and more local programs recruiting around him. This one has either gone very clandestine or something has shifted and a reassessment is happening.

Still feels if he's making it happen now, that UNC makes the most sense. They haven't been able to land bigs for the life of them lately, could use a splash in this cycle and it's apparently his favorite program growing up.

 

[superjohn]

It would suck to miss on Bundalo, but missing on him because we already have 2 great 4's would be far from a shame. As much fun as it is to win recruiting battles, at some point you have to let the guys you recruit play

I hear you but he's simply too good and seems like too good a fit to pass up on if he wants to come here and it sounded/sounds like he wants to come here.

 

[AntG168]

It would suck to miss on Bundalo, but missing on him because we already have 2 great 4's would be far from a shame. As much fun as it is to win recruiting battles, at some point you have to let the guys you recruit play

Agreed. BUT Hurley made it clear that at UConn you should be getting better every year. If you’ve been in the program it’s your job to make sure you’re good enough to beat out a freshman. Hurley has to continue to bring in new talent. It’s how you win back to back championships while losing 7 guys to the NBA.

 

[navery12]

I hear you but he's simply too good and seems like too good a fit to pass up on if he wants to come here and it sounded/sounds like he wants to come here.

He's really good and I definitely want him if the staff does. But I'm not quite sold he's the guy to alienate the players already here for

 

[AntG168]

He's really good and I definitely want him if the staff does. But I'm not quite sold he's the guy to alienate the players already here for

Stewart should be focusing on making himself a draft pick. Not whether or not a 17 year old is gonna take his minutes

 

[navery12]

Agreed. BUT Hurley made it clear that at UConn you should be getting better every year. If you’ve been in the program it’s your job to make sure you’re good enough to beat out a freshman. Hurley has to continue to bring in new talent. It’s how you win back to back championships while losing 7 guys to the NBA.

Stewart should be focusing on making himself a draft pick. Not whether or not a 17 year old is gonna take his minutes

You're missing my point, I agree with all of that. I'm not saying we shouldn't bring in more talent or not recruit over guys. All I'm saying is if this is another Koby Brea situation and the staff decides to move on, I'm not going to be upset he ended up elsewhere no matter how much I want him

 

[ec33]

It would suck to miss on Bundalo, but missing on him because we already have 2 great 4's would be far from a shame. As much fun as it is to win recruiting battles, at some point you have to let the guys you recruit play

If UConn misses out on Bundalo it isn't about "2 great 4's" -- it is about too many great players (which is why Mullins is a determinant).

Granted still a nice problem to have.

 

[AntG168]

You're missing my point, I agree with all of that. I'm not saying we shouldn't bring in more talent or not recruit over guys. All I'm saying is if this is another Koby Brea situation and the staff decides to move on, I'm not going to be upset he ended up elsewhere no matter how much I want him

Oh yea I agree. No one should be upset at any decision Hurley makes roster wise at this point lol

 

[Glastonhusky]

I hear you but he's simply too good and seems like too good a fit to pass up on if he wants to come here and it sounded/sounds like he wants to come here.

I think this would work. AK will be gone and if Liam is a one and done like some people think, Stew would slide over to the 3 spot leaving only Abraham at the 4.

 

[Huskyforlife]

He's really good and I definitely want him if the staff does. But I'm not quite sold he's the guy to alienate the players already here for

Don't think Stewart should feel threatened by a freshman, I'd let Abraham decide if he wants to compete for minutes with Niko, but passing on a top 30 player with his rare skillset is questionable at best.

 

[QuickDraw]

We are gonna get Niko too

 

[HuskyInfinity]

After Braylon’s commitment, I feel like Niko’s fire and drive to be the best will actually make him feel more endeared to committing regardless of the roster construction here bc he’ll want to be a part of something big and not miss out after seeing another massive recruit commit.