2025 Recruiting: - Niko Bundalo Update | Page 7 | The Boneyard

2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

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djct1999 said:
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.
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Losing anyone? Portal out was Apostolos and Andre.
 
JerseyAlum said:
Losing anyone? Portal out was Apostolos and Andre.
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I mean...Andre Johnson Jr. was a walk-on. As much as I like the kid, you can't really count a walk-on as a portal "loss". Apostolos maybe, but he was the 11th man on the squad last year. I more think he is referring to guys that were in the rotation last year or were expected to be in the rotation this year.
 
djct1999 said:
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.
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Based on how early Ross got PT in the exhibition game and what he did on the floor, I'd be shocked if he didn't get some spot solid minutes throughout stretches of the season and be a solid rotation player next season.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but he'll be here for the duration of his college career before he gets drafted at some point.

He's long, quick, solid handle, not afraid to attack the paint and can knock down 3s. All he needs is to get stronger, fill out some, PT, consistency where he continues to make plays while cutting down the TOs. I think he's got some BBIQ, but time will tell.

As recruits come in, he'll have enough experience to carve out PT, even if more heralded recruits and/or transfers enter the program. He'll stave them off enough.

If Hurley continues with the current process where he brings in a couple of productive and experienced transfers that fill needs if needed, a new group of talented recruits that fit the system and continue to retain the non-1-and-doners, those who work hard and gradually earn minutes will eventually get solid PT and a significant enough of a role to maximize their talent and capabilities that put them in solid NBA draft position.

I don't think there have been many rosters where almost all of them could end up drafted. Of the current roster, Singare and Diarra are two that I'm not so sure about. Diarra is probably just too small for the modern NBA. Singare might have come in too raw and inexperienced to develop enough, though if he's here all 4 years, who knows. Maybe he'll devep into a better player than most expect.

I'm not sure about Johnson. He's an exceptional run and jump athlete, that could play himself into the 2nd round, but his lack of bulk, deep shooting and perceived upside might be more in line for being an undrafted free agent.

Reed is a mistery to me still. He looks like a slightly more athletic Sanogo type big. The dig on him has been his tendencies to lack focus, effort and decision making, well according to one podcast that I wondered was suspect. There were times early in the exhibition where he seemed passive. He got out hustled for a long rebound that 8 felt he should have battled for, but Hurley got through to him where he had a stretch during the game, I think in the second half, where he showed signs of dominance inside. If he improves his skills, motor and processing, he has a chance to find himself hearing his name called. He has 2 seasons to get there.

All the others (Karaban, McNeeley, Mahaney, Ball, Stewart, Nowell, Abraham) seem to have a lot of game that Hurley will coach out of them, getting them to the league. Of them, Abraham will need to wait awhile for his turn, but he seems to have a great combination of size, strength and skill to get there, similar path as Ross that will take a little longer than the more ready to contribute recruits. For Nowell, it's just a matter of waiting his turn. He'll get some PT this season. He's just too good not to. Next year will be his time to shine.

Next season's roster might end up with more NBA drafted players than this season in light of who is coming in and who will be retained. Both are stacked for sure.
 
TheHorde said:
We are expecting the next commit to be Mullins.
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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.
 
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navery12 said:
They go up to 15 as noted, but you don't need to have open scholarships anyway. I don't expect UConn to do it, but you can go over the limit with commits, someone just has to move on after the season before they enroll
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With NIL does it even matter? They can afford to pay for school.
 
I really hope that after Bundalo's announcement...we get a tweet from Reibe...

I'm happy Niko will be a **** Husky!
 
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Hunt for 7 said:
We will lose players to the portal, there will be years that we don’t lose many and some were we lose one or two that will somewhat sting. To use one of Hurley’s words they will systematically decide who they need to recruit over each year to put the team in the best position compete for a chip every year.
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There are going to be points where Hurley will kick kids out of the nest telling them they’ve done all they can to develop them, and now they need to go find PT. I’d think two years in the system is enough to instill the work ethic and script to keep it going elsewhere while getting the PT.

Surprised Bundalo is eager to play the 5, as highly unlikely to be his NBA profile. If the kid is willing to ride the pine for a year, year two could be perfect for him.
 
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RuffRuff said:
Yup and clear the staff know well in advance as to alert the social media team to make these kick @ss videos. Forget Trilly for the scoop, tap the social media team ;).
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They each deserve a chance to shine, which is probably why the commitment announcements were about a week apart. Interestingly, Bundalo is said to likely be making his decision in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps a week or so after Mullins. That might mean nothing or might mean something time will tell.
 
Zionn said:
You mean Mullins
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No...I meant Bundalo.

Just saying that whenever Bundalo announces his commitment, I hope his choice is UConn and Reibe announces his excitement to that news using his trademark line.
 
RuffRuff said:
The one thing I do wonder about is whether Hurley and staff, now that the brand is almighty and attracting top tier recruits, is if they’re willing to start pushing players out of the program that they’ve seen they can upgrade (ala Duke last season). It’s hasn’t happened much, given the player development model but if you’re attracting 5 stars year over year and you can see a glaring opportunity to upgrade talent, you move on it:
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Is that really the one thing you wonder? There will be 15 scholarships next year. Why push anyone out, you want to compete you stay, you see better opportunities elsewhere you leave. Great players will be mostly one and done, maybe some two years. That's a lot of bodies to replace each year (when include graduation and leaving for better fit or non NBA pro opportunities), and given the pay for play how many big upgrade guys can you afford to attract if your guys are already mostly real good.
 
DogMania said:
Based on how early Ross got PT in the exhibition game and what he did on the floor, I'd be shocked if he didn't get some spot solid minutes throughout stretches of the season and be a solid rotation player next season.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but he'll be here for the duration of his college career before he gets drafted at some point.

He's long, quick, solid handle, not afraid to attack the paint and can knock down 3s. All he needs is to get stronger, fill out some, PT, consistency where he continues to make plays while cutting down the TOs. I think he's got some BBIQ, but time will tell.

As recruits come in, he'll have enough experience to carve out PT, even if more heralded recruits and/or transfers enter the program. He'll stave them off enough.

If Hurley continues with the current process where he brings in a couple of productive and experienced transfers that fill needs if needed, a new group of talented recruits that fit the system and continue to retain the non-1-and-doners, those who work hard and gradually earn minutes will eventually get solid PT and a significant enough of a role to maximize their talent and capabilities that put them in solid NBA draft position.

I don't think there have been many rosters where almost all of them could end up drafted. Of the current roster, Singare and Diarra are two that I'm not so sure about. Diarra is probably just too small for the modern NBA. Singare might have come in too raw and inexperienced to develop enough, though if he's here all 4 years, who knows. Maybe he'll devep into a better player than most expect.

I'm not sure about Johnson. He's an exceptional run and jump athlete, that could play himself into the 2nd round, but his lack of bulk, deep shooting and perceived upside might be more in line for being an undrafted free agent.

Reed is a mistery to me still. He looks like a slightly more athletic Sanogo type big. The dig on him has been his tendencies to lack focus, effort and decision making, well according to one podcast that I wondered was suspect. There were times early in the exhibition where he seemed passive. He got out hustled for a long rebound that 8 felt he should have battled for, but Hurley got through to him where he had a stretch during the game, I think in the second half, where he showed signs of dominance inside. If he improves his skills, motor and processing, he has a chance to find himself hearing his name called. He has 2 seasons to get there.

All the others (Karaban, McNeeley, Mahaney, Ball, Stewart, Nowell, Abraham) seem to have a lot of game that Hurley will coach out of them, getting them to the league. Of them, Abraham will need to wait awhile for his turn, but he seems to have a great combination of size, strength and skill to get there, similar path as Ross that will take a little longer than the more ready to contribute recruits. For Nowell, it's just a matter of waiting his turn. He'll get some PT this season. He's just too good not to. Next year will be his time to shine.

Next season's roster might end up with more NBA drafted players than this season in light of who is coming in and who will be retained. Both are stacked for sure.
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I would imagine Ross is on the four-year plan. From what I recall, he was sold on the idea of being an impact player as an upperclassman. So some PT this year, secondary next year, followed by primary (to the NBA) role as a senior.

As of now (with Mullins), I would guess the plan would be:
2025 draft: Karaban, McNeeley, Ball. With Johnson and Diara moving on to whatever level
2026: Stewart, Mahaney, and Mullins with Reed finding his place.
2027: Reibe, Ross, Adams, and Nowell (plus the next gen OAD or perhaps Mullins staying a second year). A lot of guys even without Bundalo who I also would place here.
2028: Abraham and the potential holdover year from Adams and/or Nowell.

Like you, I'm not sure where Singare fits.
 
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Bucket94 said:
With Eric & Darius off the board- how many scholarships do we have left to offer for next season? I know we’re eyeing Bundalo,Mullins, and Furphy. I think it’s safe to assume Meleek & Acaden off to Arkansas and Kentucky
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Its very safe
 
I
Husky68 said:
Is that really the one thing you wonder? There will be 15 scholarships next year. Why push anyone out, you want to compete you stay, you see better opportunities elsewhere you leave. Great players will be mostly one and done, maybe some two years. That's a lot of bodies to replace each year (when include graduation and leaving for better fit or non NBA pro opportunities), and given the pay for play how many big upgrade guys can you afford to attract if your guys are already mostly real good.
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I wonder many things, but in that split second of wonderment twas my wonder. Thanks for asking.

I’d have to think Hurley would be fair enough to upperclassmen he doesn’t feel fit after 2-3 years, to encourage to find PT elsewhere. If he does in fact choose that method. While loyal he wants to win.

It’s a bit silly to think Hurley is going to turn into an NBA farm and send 3-4 guys to the draft year over year.
 
awy said:
well he's sent that many per year so far and the incoming talent is better. as long as they can keep the moat on the coaching edge, no reason why this can't continue.
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He had two first round underclassmen drafted this past draft and one underclsssman drafted the year before.

Sanogo and Jackson were second round pick juniors and Newton and Cam were second round pick 5th year seniors.

We haven't exactly been an NBA factory. We should have more first round pick underclasssmen going forward as Hurley and staff are basically getting whoever they want now and we'll have more 5 stars coming in.
 
superjohn said:
He had two first round underclassmen drafted this past draft and one underclsssman drafted the year before.

Sanogo and Jackson were second round pick juniors and Newton and Cam were second round pick 5th year seniors.

We haven't exactly been an NBA factory. We should have more first round pick underclasssmen going forward as Hurley and staff are basically getting whoever they want now and we'll have more 5 stars coming in.
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But we are now. And with talent in getting better, so will the talent out.
 
Reibe is a 5, high post and low post, who can step out for a 3.
Bundalo is a 4, who says he wants to be a 3.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
ucp990411 said:
In this world of NIL can’t a player use the NIL money to pay for his one years tuition and then be a walk on?
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yes, I believe St. Johns did that with two players last year
 
DyNASTY#3 said:
Just relaying what I heard... maybe they had it backward but that was the message I received.
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As has been posted, you must have got it backwards. He's been playing predominantly a stretch 4 wing type position. Similar to Karaban, though he's bigger, he could play some 5 when needed, but he fits as 4 who could play some wing. He has a very handle and I noticed he drove it to the basket often in the clips I've watched.

He'd be a great fit. It's just a matter either him or Hurley seeing too many players per minutes at the 4, or Hurley telling Reibe that ship was either his or Bundalo's. I think he's too talented to pass up if none of that is the case.
 
JerseyAlum said:
Stew would be the lightest PF I've seen at UConn in some time: Adrien, Boone, Freeman, Oriakhi, Donyell, all 235-255 lbs. Guess times are a changing.
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He’s not a PF. Yes, times have changed. He can play the 3/4.
 
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At times we are going to run big lineups with a PG and a center, and then a three man combination of Karaban, Stewart, McNeeley, and Ross just like Hurley did a couple of different times against Rhode Island. Four players on the floor 6'7 and up. Ross is playing really well and with lots of confidence coming into the season and I think we will see plenty of him this year.
 
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