2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[Fore!]

Would Alex stay for a shot at a 4th ring? (I know, I know ) It's never been done has it?

Breanna Stewart

 

[temery]

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[AllHusky]

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My son just informed me that I already had subscribed, just went over, got it
Wink/nod

 

[superjohn]

What the hell are these guys talking about?

 

[ted920]

Has an announcement date been set?
Not looking for inside info just if Niko set to commit in Fall or next year.

 

[AntG168]

Has an announcement date been set?
Not looking for inside info just if Niko set to commit in Fall or next year.

The Fall.

That could change like everything though

 

[DyNASTY#3]

The Fall.

That could change like everything though

His dad said he was in his final stages of committing 6 days ago…

 

[444JR]

True but very few coaches are going to actually go to 15. For a few reasons. First, it means there's more mouths to feed ($$$). At least 4-5 of those kids (and maybe more) will see little to no significant playing time, which means higher turnover and staff having to spend time and energy re-selling the kids on staying with the program. Lastly, it means you don't have the flexibility to scoop up a last minute transfer, decommit, reclass kid.

Will help Hurley bring in even better “walk-on” level players to battle it out with the team in practice.

 

[HungryHu5ky]

Bundalo coming or not doesn't move the needle much for me.

He's a 4/PF but I'm more concerned with the development of Abraham for the 4 (e.g., put on weight, backup AK this year or is he more of a 3 and behind the others?) but I don't even know if Dan Hurley needs a true 4 in his system as ball handling, BKIQ, and rebounding are critical skills and he likes more shooter 4s than back-down-the-defender 4s * I think *. Maybe AK is just a special case for him, but it's an embarrassment of riches if Bundalo comes. Surely there's a decent PF waiting in the portal for next year.

Abraham isn’t a 4 tho& would be undersized … and it better to have a player at that spot that’s 6’8 - 6’10 with versatility & skill to mix in with that size

 

[caw]

Solo is a one of a kind.

If we are playing the comparison game with him then Dovovan Mitchell may be the closest. Very similar measurables (assuming Ball's 6'3 is with shoes) in terms of height, weight, wingspan and vertical (both +40). Mitchell probably has a better handle but still best I can think of from current NBA players.

 

[Drame]

Abraham is not a big. He plays on the perimeter and is probably 6' 5.5" w/o shoes. Hurley might have a rule which I havent heard about keeping only 3 bigs on the roster at any one time. Maybe its better to take Furphy, if we're only taking one more, instead of Bundalo. Furphy, more than any other recruit we've seen, reminds me of Cam, but at a younger age. IQ, shooting, playing at his own pace, passing.

 

[aburks41]

Niko and Reibe both being able to step out an hit 3's would make this team unguardable.

 

[Umami Zen]

Niko and Reibe both being able to step out an hit 3's would make this team unguardable.

Agree with you. I think with the right personnel the next evolution of Dan/Luke's offensive system is more 5- out.. Which they've been dabbling with in the last season or so.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Niko and Reibe both being able to step out an hit 3's would make this team unguardable.

I am curious if maybe the staff feels like they’re having to toe the line of pure talent and experience. Maybe the thought is, for what will be a relatively young roster in ‘25, the better approach is to wait for a more experienced portal guy at the 4 to pair with Stewart.

 

[knicksin7]

Was an “if” statement based on noise from other fan bases. Aren’t hypotheticals and paralysis by analysis what all sports radio shows are based on?

I just reached my daily quota with this post, so see you tomorrow. Fortunately I took typing in HS and can type like the wind.

Typing in HS - how old are you man! Just curious

 

[Umami Zen]

Don't even know if this is feasible/viable or not.. But if Furphy is coming on board-Could he be put on the Karaban Plan second semester to take advantage of SnC/conditioning/gaining familiarity with offensive schemes,etc.? By his admission he needs some work to enhance his strength and athleticism. Not to play -but like Karaban-to learn and develop without burning any eligibility.

 

[nomar]

I also want Bundalo and think he would be the best fit, but all signs point to Furphy at this point.

If all signs pointed to Furphy, he'd already have committed.

 

[boog204]

If all signs pointed to Furphy, he'd already have committed.

Did I miss something where Furphy is nearing a commitment? I know it seem possible pre-Mullins but that also read like a contingency plan of sorts. That being said, I think Furphy is awesome and has crazy BB IQ and would play here sooner than later. Just didn't see something where it seemed like we were looking to add him still.

 

[nomar]

Did I miss something where Furphy is nearing a commitment? I know it seem possible pre-Mullins but that also read like a contingency plan of sorts. That being said, I think Furphy is awesome and has crazy BB IQ and would play here sooner than later. Just didn't see something where it seemed like we were looking to add him still.

You didn't miss anything specific on Furphy. I don't know what signs GH was referring to.

My guess is that he wants to come here, but UConn isn't ready for him to make a commitment. Whether that's because they're still chasing Bundalo, or Bundalo also wants to come but UConn is deciding between the two, or UConn is chasing some other guy they've been linked to, I have no idea. But at this point it sure seems like Hurley gets the pick of the litter.

Most of these kids know where they want to go long in advance of when they announce.

 

[Son of Robert]

Just a general statement here about recruiting news. That whole Mullins thing with Hurley quoted as having him one and done was an eye opener of misinformation for me and perhaps many of us. So much crap out there from other fan bases, "analysts", and even some folks on here repeating it as real information. UConn staff keeps things very tight and I can see why.

 

[TheHorde]

Just a general statement here about recruiting news. That whole Mullins thing with Hurley quoted as having him one and done was an eye opener of misinformation for me and perhaps many of us. So much crap out there from other fan bases, "analysts", and even some folks on here repeating it as real information. UConn staff keeps things very tight and I can see why.

That information, as well as Hurley personally being in front of Mullins more than Woodson despite the geographical disadvantage, were the eye openers for me.

 

[RuffRuff]

Typing in HS - how old are you man! Just curious

A young 50!!! One of the most relevant classes I ever took. Can probably out type most Gen Zs, which is scary. I see some dudes my age hunting and pecking and I cringe.

 

[80shusky]

Typing in HS - how old are you man! Just curious

I'm not the OP but I also took typing in high school in the mid to late 80s. We learned on the IBM Selectric III I'm pretty sure. The typing class I have to say was a great pick considering the word processing that was coming soon after.

 

[auror]

Just a general statement here about recruiting news. That whole Mullins thing with Hurley quoted as having him one and done was an eye opener of misinformation for me and perhaps many of us. So much crap out there from other fan bases, "analysts", and even some folks on here repeating it as real information. UConn staff keeps things very tight and I can see why.

This is the source of that one and done stuff.

Top 25 shooting guard Braylon Mullins breaks down final 10 schools

Braylon Mullins, one of the fastest-rising prospects in the nation, spoke with 247Sports about his final 10 schools.

247sports.com

Seems like a direct quote from Mullins, but maybe it was misconstrued somehow.

 

[aburks41]

I am curious if maybe the staff feels like they’re having to toe the line of pure talent and experience. Maybe the thought is, for what will be a relatively young roster in ‘25, the better approach is to wait for a more experienced portal guy at the 4 to pair with Stewart.

We have Abraham in the mix too. And if we have a junior year Stewart then the best option to pair him with is a 5* freshman. It would be very difficult to get a high level portal add to compete with Stewart for minutes.

It will be a young roster but a damn good one. Nowell and Mahaney both will be experienced guards. Ball too but I suspect he may be NBA bound after this year. Reed and Stewart in the front court with experience. These recruits were bringing in are all 5* caliber guys. They're more or less going to be ready on day 1, like McNeeley and Castle.