2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[HuskyFich]

I don’t worry at all about this kid’s size at whatever position he plays, if that’s still up for debate.

He’s long and a certified stud, he’ll fit in well regardless of calling him a 3,4,5.

We want 3 guys like Bundalo, 1 guy like Reibe, 1 guy like Adams.

THAT is an NBA roster.

 

[HuskyFich]

To me, he looks like a prototypical late bloomer. Props to the staff for spotting a low ranked (#113 per 247) diamond in the rough and getting him to come here.

He reminded me a little bit of frosh Ajax vs. URI…trying to do everything, going too fast, but his activity and athleticism is OBVIOUS. Hell be force as a senior under Hurley.

 

[HungryHu5ky]

Word is that Mullins already signed and next week is just the announcement...

They still want Bundalo but it's up in the air still because they want him as a 4 but he wants to be a 5.

He didn’t say he wants to play the 5 … where’d you get this from

 

[HungryHu5ky]

This is an outstanding interview with Bundalo. I know it was posted here someplace but I couldn't easily find it so I'm posting it again. At the 4 minute mark he is absolutely clear he plays as a 4. If this interview doesn't sell you on this kid as a fit for our program I'll be shocked. Invest the 12 min to understand this is a guy we should covet.

I dont get why ppl are saying he plays anything but a 4 it’s very common bball sense

 

[uconn_jack]

Bundalo has the body for a 4 but has the skills and interest to play the 3/SF. Is a great roster fit for a team/coach who likes positionless flexibility in their players.. Time will tell if Dan wants a bigger freshmen class or wants to sprinkle in some portal adds.

Unless both Stew and Ball go to the draft, I'm not sure I would see any reason to go to the portal over taking a stellar class of Adams, Riebe, Mullins, and Bundalo (and maybe Furphy). I understand, although don't necessarily agree with, the athleticism concern, but that class just oozes BBIQ, intensity, and work ethic.

And we would still have maturity and experience with seniors Mahaney and Reed, juniors Ross and Singare, and sophs Nowell and Abraham, a core to keep the culture alive.

If Stew does go, then maybe an athletic, defensive, high bench 4 transfer, but not sure what else we'd need.

 

[navery12]

Unless both Stew and Ball go to the draft, I'm not sure I would see any reason to go to the portal over taking a stellar class of Adams, Riebe, Mullins, and Bundalo (and maybe Furphy). I understand, although don't necessarily agree with, the athleticism concern, but that class just oozes BBIQ, intensity, and work ethic.

And we would still have maturity and experience with seniors Mahaney and Reed, juniors Ross and Singare, and sophs Nowell and Abraham, a core to keep the culture alive.

If Stew does go, then maybe an athletic, defensive, high bench 4 transfer, but not sure what else we'd need.

The issue is we'll find out about Ball and Stewart going to the NBA in mid April, and Bundalo is making his college choice within a few weeks. So we won't have that luxury of knowing

 

[uconn_jack]

The issue is we'll find out about Ball and Stewart going to the NBA in mid April, and Bundalo is making his college choice within a few weeks. So we won't have that luxury of knowing

True enough, but I was more responding to the speculation that maybe Hurley would rather leave spots open for the portal rather than take Bundalo if he wanted to come.

 

[Umami Zen]

Unless both Stew and Ball go to the draft, I'm not sure I would see any reason to go to the portal over taking a stellar class of Adams, Riebe, Mullins, and Bundalo (and maybe Furphy). I understand, although don't necessarily agree with, the athleticism concern, but that class just oozes BBIQ, intensity, and work ethic.

And we would still have maturity and experience with seniors Mahaney and Reed, juniors Ross and Singare, and sophs Nowell and Abraham, a core to keep the culture alive.

If Stew does go, then maybe an athletic, defensive, high bench 4 transfer, but not sure what else we'd need.

Can't disagree with anything you said. I'm with you. BTW-I'in the "take Bundalo if he wants to come" camp. So far I haven't seen any indication from Dan and the staff that they're taking the foot off the accelerator on his recruitment.

 

[dennismenace]

I don't see any issue at all in comparison to this year unless the staff only expects the nba to be interested in Alex.
Diarra replaced by Adams
Johnson replaced by Reibe
Alex replaced by Bundalo
Liam/or Ball/ or Stewart to draft replaced by Mullins
Nearly 90 minutes a game become up for grabs

I like this. A good chunk of that 90 going to Nowell (Dog) and Abraham (Dog). The rest to the best.

 

[RuffRuff]

Can't disagree with anything you said. I'm with you. BTW-I'in the "take Bundalo if he wants to come" camp. So far I haven't seen any indication from Dan and the staff that they're taking the foot off the accelerator on his recruitment.

Have you gotten any indication they are still actively recruiting him? I haven’t seen much. With most of these kids once they finish their visits you see their announcement date set. If he wants to go early signing he’d have to do that soon.

Only thing I could find:

Decision Coming Soon for Niko Bundalo

More on the Tar Heel target's Chapel Hill trip and his forthcoming college decision.

247sports.com

 

[Umami Zen]

Have you gotten any indication they are still actively recruiting him? I haven’t seen much. With most of these kids once they finish their visits you see their announcement date set. If he wants to go early signing he’d have to do that soon.

IMO- Most of the Top 25 players still uncommitted are either waiting to see how their priority schools are filling out their rosters first (to assess PT opportunities) and/ or they're working through the business negotiation side of their choices. (ie. Thomas-Lewis-Ament)

If we are lucky enough to secure Braylon's commitment on Wed. We will have secured an elite Top 3 2025 recruiting class with those 3 commitments. An excellent core group. After Wed. I think we'll have more clarity on any future 2025 adds through Danny assessment of any future 2025 activity. Adams has said two distinctly different things (not sure he's the guy that knows). We need two guards and a big. And- Would love to play with Lewis-Reibe-Bundalo-Mullins at UConn.

Danny and Bundalo are pretty good at keeping it close to the vest.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

True enough, but I was more responding to the speculation that maybe Hurley would rather leave spots open for the portal rather than take Bundalo if he wanted to come.

Technically the bump to 15 scholarships means it doesn't have to be either or (but I can't imagine hurley ever using more than 12 or 13)

Hurley had said that because of insane transfer portal bidding, the recruiting focus would shift more towards bringing in quality HS kids and maybe only grabbing 1 transfer to fill a gap. So that may indicate that taking a guy like bundalo would be the preference to waiting on the portal.

 

[Umami Zen]

Have you gotten any indication they are still actively recruiting him? I haven’t seen much. With most of these kids once they finish their visits you see their announcement date set. If he wants to go early signing he’d have to do that soon.

Only thing I could find:

Decision Coming Soon for Niko Bundalo

More on the Tar Heel target's Chapel Hill trip and his forthcoming college decision.

247sports.com

TBH. Been focused on Mullins announcement and Bundalo has been pretty chill. In code- There are some pro- UConn folks who think we lead on Bundalo and Furphy.Can things change? Absolutely. Mullins announcement is the next domino.

 

[RuffRuff]

TBH. Been focused on Mullins announcement and Bundalo has been pretty chill. In code- There are some pro- UConn folks who think we lead on Bundalo and Furphy.Can things change? Absolutely. Mullins announcement is the next domino.

Makes sense. Don’t want to steal the Mullins thunder. That said, feels like that one is all but done and dusted, so curious to see how all plays out in the aftermath because that’s where the mystery remains and would be an interesting indicator into how the staffs recruiting model is evolving, and their perception of current players future.

 

[Lambeau]

Furphy may be Plan B if we lose Mullins, but Bundalo is a unicorn born to play for Danny.

 

[Lambeau]

What about:

1-Mahaney/ Nowell
2-Adams/Mullins
3-Stewart/Ross
4-Bundalo/Abraham
5-Reibe/Reed

Yes, crowded, but injuries do happen.

 

[Scrutineer]

Hyperbole aside, if Ross can’t get a sniff of the floor in his first two years, with guys in front of him and high recruits coming in, how in the world will he have a major role? One of the more surprising and incredible things to me, is how this staff convinced everyone to come back without losing anyone in the portal. With this current momentum and the talent that wants to play at UConn, I think that trend will be hardest to maintain. I am not suggesting it’s Ross(I agree he has upside) but there are kids on this roster who will most likely at some point get recruited over. Why? Because Hurley and this staff are in a sweet spot where they can get almost anyone they want.

Dan Hurley is becoming the Nick Saban equivalent in men's basketball.

 

[Scrutineer]

Kid has serious game.

That video shows there's no need to worry about who he replaces.
He's a player.

 

[Lambeau]

Bundalo looks awesome--and he plays D.
Weingarten of Stockrisers told Zanetto yesterday he certainly can play with Reibe.
First OSU talk, then we seemed favored, now UNC chatter--should announce in two weeks.

 

[GampelGladiator]

What about:

1-Mahaney/ Nowell
2-Adams/Mullins
3-Stewart/Ross
4-Bundalo/Abraham
5-Reibe/Reed

Yes, crowded, but injuries do happen.

Feels like Niko commitment hinges on timing. Seems reasonable that Niko would commit in the near feature for that roster. However, it's going to be a while before knowing that AK, LM, and SB/JS are headed to NBA. There is an element of risk for Niko to commit this early.

 

[CT2SC]

Liam is understood to be on the Castle track.

Bundalo could be significantly better than Abraham and Singare, he's viewed as a better prospect. Hurley wants to retain his guys and develop them but I can't see him not wanting a kid who wants to come here if Hurley views him as a great talent who can help us win more championships.

Hurley has been winning championships with his formula. It’s not just about talent acquisition. Duke and Kentucky play that game and Hurley’s focus on development and chemistry is the winning formula. My guess is he is done after Mullins other than a possible depth piece.

 

[KingAG]

Hurley has been winning championships with his formula. It’s not just about talent acquisition. Duke and Kentucky play that game and Hurley’s focus on development and chemistry is the winning formula. My guess is he is done after Mullins other than a possible depth piece.

His “formula” includes getting talented kids. This idea that Hurley goes bargain shopping on the recruiting trail is hilarious. He’s getting some of the most talented kids in the country .

 

[Lambeau]

Niko cut down to four finalists ten days ago, cancelling Kentucky visit and excluding Kansas--UConn is still alive for a reason.
MSU seems pessimistic, and the most chatter is UConn and UNC. We're not on his list if Danny lost interest.

 

[navery12]

Niko cut down to four finalists ten days ago, cancelling Kentucky visit and excluding Kansas--UConn is still alive for a reason.
MSU seems pessimistic, and the most chatter is UConn and UNC. We're not on his list if Danny lost interest.

Well the supposed loss of interest would be post Reibe commitment, which happened after the list was cut. So still TBD what happens. And Ohio State is definitely still involved, they were right there with UConn at the top for the past 2 months

 

[ec33]

That hasn’t come from Hurley.

If we’re going by recruits words Darius Adams insinuated they all were in play.

I’ll just wait and see.

If Hurley want Niko. We should all want Niko.

Who are you going to believe: Adams or a Kentucky Wildcat too afraid of competing at UConn? Exactly, Lewis said two and one so that is that (even if Furphy will make three guards that still doesn't take away from the truth of the one frontline player assertion).

 

[Ricker]

I see Bundalo/a unicorn as a necessary piece to be a top 5 team in the chase for championships vs being one of 15-20 teams with a chance. I prefer taking him

 

[Huskyforlife]

I think you have to take, figure out the roster later. Only exception is if he demands a starting spot.

 

[auror]

4 freshmen in your top 8 rotation makes you awfully young for a championship contender in the transfer portal era. The last 2 years, none of the Final Four had more than 2 freshmen in their end of season rotation. Even without COVID seniors next year, teams will still grab veterans from midmajors and the resource-lacking high majors.

You can take 4 freshman, but taking top 50 guys means they expect to be in the rotation. If they're not, they'll leave anyways, so you don't gain much benefit from having them. So taking a 4th top 50 guy has a big opportunity cost. 3 and a development guy is much better than 4 top 50 guys IMO.

 

[Son of Robert]

I see Bundalo/a unicorn as a necessary piece to be a top 5 team in the chase for championships vs being one of 15-20 teams with a chance. I prefer taking him

Nico Bundalo would give us real height at the 4, and a legit skillset inside and outside the lane. A tandem of Bundalo and either Reed or Reibe at the 5 has the potential to be pretty dominating on both sides of the floor. It's a game changer.

 

[Stasher599]

So put me in the corner of trusting Hurley and not worrying about the number of scholarships available or if someone is going to get their feelings hurt because we have too many shootings guards.
If these highschool kids want to bleed blue and experience the best culture and college basketball coaches available to them I will be more than happy to welcome them with open arms.

I absolutely loved Cam and Joey C and every other transfer that thrived in our system but I really love watching freshman on their journey to become legends at UConn. Seeing someone develop and buy into Hurley’s philosophy is just so amazing to follow from a far like us fans is a real pleasure.