2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[HungryHu5ky]

I guess I'm using public loosely but Darius Adams said it in his commitment interview, then Colby Giacubeno said it on a podcast, then Trilly said the same thing on his discord.

I hope they're all wrong and we get both, but there's enough smoke that I don't think it can really be dismissed as nonsense. Especially when it lines up with what our roster is looking like for next year. This staff is always going to weigh the impact of these decisions on returning players like we saw with Koby Brea and Aidan Mahaney

…
trilly & Colby Giacubeno only said they don’t suspect that UConn would add both which is only an opinion not a quote from a source…personal I don’t think we’ll get both but I can def see them fitting together

 

[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.

 

[bendm]

is McNeely a lock to go based on what you’ve seen?

if Liam doesnt go pro then i hope Ball or Mahaney do. none of Adams, Mullins, soph Nowell, or junior Ross should be 3rd stringers

 

[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]

if Liam doesnt go pro then i hope Ball or Mahaney do. none of Adams, Mullins, soph Nowell, or junior Ross should be 3rd stringers

I don't think Mahaney is an NBA player. He is too small and not athletic enough to separate himself.

 

[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 McNeely 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.

 

[awy]

hurleys emphasis with liam is clearly defense. it'll take time but look at the improvement karaban has made, he will get there. the offense is high level and more than fine.

 

[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.

 

[bendm]

I don't think Mahaney is an NBA player. He is too small and not athletic enough to separate himself.

Idk Reed shepherd measured 6’1 180 at the combine

 

[bendm]

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,

What the heck are you talking about. Stew is our starting 4 next year and Abe is the backup. Reibe can also play some 4 with his shooting ability if we wanna go twin towers but you have a better chance of playing the 4 than Singare

 

[FearThePups]

thinking stew will be back as a junior so there's just no room for bundalo and that says a lot. hurley grabs a 3rd string G in the portal and we are fully reloaded for 25-26:

Mahaney / Nowell
Ball / Adams
Mullins / Ross
Stew / Abraham
Reed / Reibe / Singare

The hell with a third string guard. They will always be found in the portal. Not so much for the Bundalo level player.

 

[3rdbass]

Idk Reed shepherd measured 6’1 180 at the combine

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.

 

[bendm]

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.

I’m trying to be optimistic but I agree Ball is the better prospect