2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[RuffRuff]

Scouts are gonna be all over Ball this season.

I’m not a crazy comp person, but I did like the Westbrook comp for Solo. He’s that athletic.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I’m not a crazy comp person, but I did like the Westbrook comp for Solo. He’s that athletic.

I think that comp is pretty lazy personally

 

[HungryHu5ky]

I’m not a crazy comp person, but I did like the Westbrook comp for Solo. He’s that athletic.

I thought it was a horrible comp they’re nothing alike at all

 

[HuskyFich]

I think that comp is pretty lazy personally

I think he's a cross between Marcus Smart and Jrue Holiday...

 

[3rdbass]

I thought it was a horrible comp they’re nothing alike at all

The announcer in yesterday's game compared him to Westbrook. I don't really see the comparison at all. Ball is more of shooter than the slasher that Westbrook is. I guess they are both very athletic but that is were the comparisons end.

 

[caw]

The announcer in yesterday's game compared him to Westbrook. I don't really see the comparison at all. Ball is more of shooter than the slasher that Westbrook is. I guess they are both very athletic but that is were the comparisons end.

Westbrook also had an absurd fifteen foot pull-up that Ball does not. Not sure who I would compare Ball to though.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Westbrook also had an absurd fifteen foot pull-up that Ball does not. Not sure who I would compare Ball to though.

Solo is a one of a kind.

 

[JonnyRI]

Solo is a one of a kind.

I see what you did there….

 

[boog204]

Is McNeeley a lock to go based on what you’ve seen? A kid prized for his shooting launched some serious bricks against URI. I’m sure a lot of nerves and he’ll straighten it out, but did not see anything that resembled a lottery pick yesterday. Was a bit of a matador on defense, so if he isn’t an assassin from 3 this season as he’s figuring things out on a deep roster, does he 100% go in a loaded draft class?

He's played one exhibition game. Maybe give it more than 25 minutes at the casino? He shot 1-4 from 3, made several nice drives to the hoop, and was a connector in the half court. Defense was not ideal. There's zero doubt in my mind that it will get significantly better.

There were people here last year who said Castle was a bust and couldn't play D1 defense, too.

 

[Mooch82]

I think he's a cross between Marcus Smart and Jrue Holiday...

I see a Michael Jordan/Steph Curry/Oscar Robertson hybrid.

 

[JerseyAlum]

I see what you did there….

Singularly agree...

 

[JerseyAlum]

Bringing this back to Nick Bundalo - yeah, as a '4' we are fairly deep now, but next year, if we're really looking at the '4', Abraham is our guy if (a) he stays, and (b) develops. If we get Reibe at the 5, then perhaps Singare shifts to a '4' so we would have 2 power forwards if Bundalo does not commit to UConn, pending other players committing or transferring in.

On3 has us ~ 11.8% chance, but I have not heard of his timeline on when he will commit.

I'm not too worried...let's enjoy AK's last season and see how the development of Abraham goes.

 

[RuffRuff]

He's played one exhibition game. Maybe give it more than 25 minutes at the casino? He shot 1-4 from 3, made several nice drives to the hoop, and was a connector in the half court. Defense was not ideal. There's zero doubt in my mind that it will get significantly better.

There were people here last year who said Castle was a bust and couldn't play D1 defense, too.

I was generally joking on this one as I realize he has a full season of development in front of him, all I can say is that as of this minute, his draftability is more about potential/projection than actual based on seen. Net net, with other possible scenarios playing out, would think staff wants to stay flexible versus over-committed.

As for the Solo comp, Russ was an Uber athletic similarly sized combo type. His pro stock was based on quickness and athleticism, with length well beyond his height. Solo is a freak athletically, similar in stature/size. His current game isn’t 1 for 1, but it will evolve with opportunity. I can see his stock jumping fast with overall refinement, as a unique athlete.

 

[knicksin7]

I attended a few of Marcus Camby's Hartford Public High School games and he barely missed a shot in warm-ups from anywhere on the court including threes. Then he went to UMass and Calipari turned him into a rebounder and shot blocker. He had a good NBA career, but he was much more than what Calipari reduced him to. I think the game has evolved since those days.

Come on man, Marcus Camby was the number 2 pick in a historically good draft. Not sure you can blame Calipari for anything here.

 

[JerseyAlum]

Come on man, Marcus Camby was the number 2 pick in a historically good draft. Not sure you can blame Calipari for anything here.

Hard to resist blaming Calipari for anything....

 

[FearThePups]

It's not that people here can't see them playing together, it's that UConn has publicly said 2 guards and 1 big for this class. And beyond that, there's a finite number of minutes

I get it now. Kind of like forever seats. There’s only a finite number of them as well. Here’s a thought, enlarge Gampel as I have been saying.

 

[navery12]

Yeah but Reed is a lot better athlete with elite shooting ability. I wasn't that high on Reed but I could see why he was drafted. Mahaney seems more of a player who will be in the Euro Legues without anything to distinguish him. He is a goood player at everything but defense but not great in anything from what we have seen. I think he is a great get for our team and fully expect him to be here for 2 years. If he can get drafted and stick with an NBA player I would love it even if I don't see it currently.

I don't disagree, but I'd also say give Mahaney time with Hurley before writing him off. You'd likely have been saying the same thing about Cam Spencer last year and Joey Calcaterra 2 years ago, and both of them got NBA chances. And Mahaney will have 2 years here to develop

 

[Drame]

Bringing this back to Nick Bundalo - yeah, as a '4' we are fairly deep now, but next year, if we're really looking at the '4', Abraham is our guy if (a) he stays, and (b) develops. If we get Reibe at the 5, then perhaps Singare shifts to a '4' so we would have 2 power forwards if Bundalo does not commit to UConn, pending other players committing or transferring in.

On3 has us ~ 11.8% chance, but I have not heard of his timeline on when he will commit.

I'm not too worried...let's enjoy AK's last season and see how the development of Abraham goes.

Abraham is a bit undersized for the 4. Closer to 6'6" in height. Would prefer him at the 3, And have more length at the 4.

 

[Orc]

I hope we also get Bundalo. He looks amazing from the highlights I’ve seen. Reminds me of Chet Holmsgreen like.

 

[444JR]

View attachment 104236 ESPN’s #19 #23 #24 & #25 would be quite the haul. Best ever?

You almost have to go for it looking at that. Potentially losing a lot. Diarra and Johnson, Karaban and McNeeley to the draft, potential of Solo and Stewie to the draft as well(if a third straight national championship looms)!

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Stew is more like a 3 than a 4. Heck he can be a 2. We have 4x 6'7" guys (McNeeley, Stewart, Ross, Abraham) within 5 lbs of each other so very right for small forward. Reibe at 7'0" is a 5 though he could stretch to a 4 maybe.

Though Hurley likes position less players, it means he likes guys who can be 1 or 2, or 3 or 4 or even 2-3-4. If Stew is back next year, I see him at 3.

I believe every single minute stewart has played for UConn has been at the 4...maybe some at the 3... definitely none at the 2

 

[RuffRuff]

I believe every single minute stewart has played for UConn has been at the 4...maybe some at the 3... definitely none at the 2

Standard here for a 4 size is pretty high at the college level. Abraham looks a legit 6’7”. Think about some of the 4s of the past here (Freeman, Adrien). KJ Adams is 6’7”, Jwan Roberts is a 6’8 center.

If we brought Bundalo on could see him playing the Grant Nelson type role, but it might be at the cost of retooling and pushing someone out.

 

[navery12]

I believe every single minute stewart has played for UConn has been at the 4...maybe some at the 3... definitely none at the 2

Stew is more like a 3 than a 4. Heck he can be a 2. We have 4x 6'7" guys (McNeeley, Stewart, Ross, Abraham) within 5 lbs of each other so very right for small forward. Reibe at 7'0" is a 5 though he could stretch to a 4 maybe.

Though Hurley likes position less players, it means he likes guys who can be 1 or 2, or 3 or 4 or even 2-3-4. If Stew is back next year, I see him at 3.

Stewart played 553 possessions last year, only 129 were with Alex Karaban also on the court. But 59 of those 129 were also with no center on the court, so Karaban or Stewart were at the 5. Probably some nuance in there but as a rough estimate, he only played ~12% of his time at the 3 last year

 

[JerseyAlum]

Stewart played 553 possessions last year, only 129 were with Alex Karaban also on the court. But 59 of those 129 were also with no center on the court, so Karaban or Stewart were at the 5. Probably some nuance in there but as a rough estimate, he only played ~12% of his time at the 3 last year

Thanks - my 4 vision is biased for Karl Malone type bodies so would have thought "more weight" needed for our 6'7"...but as Ruff put it the standard in college is pretty high. Ultimately it is what a 4 does: back down other big men close to the rim, turnaround 6' baselines, blocks, rebounding. I liked our big 4s, like Adrien, Boone...even Freeman looked like a mean boxer type body. Not saying Stewart fits that mold (maybe he's more athletic which strikes me as a 3, but I digress).

 

[UConnSwag11]

Thanks - my 4 vision is biased for Karl Malone type bodies so would have thought "more weight" needed for our 6'7"...but as Ruff put it the standard in college is pretty high. Ultimately it is what a 4 does: back down other big men close to the rim, turnaround 6' baselines, blocks, rebounding. I liked our big 4s, like Adrien, Boone...even Freeman looked like a mean boxer type body. Not saying Stewart fits that mold (maybe he's more athletic which strikes me as a 3, but I digress).

Those types of 4’s have gotten their way with Karaban. He did do better towards the end of the season last year against them