I doubt it. Plus won’t he have his degree by or before next May?Would Alex stay for a shot at a 4th ring? (I know, I know) It's never been done has it?
2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update
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If we win another, I have to imagine Alex comes back. That would be incredibly tempting. He'd have the opportunity to cement himself as the greatest (or at the least most accomplished) college basketball player of all-time. No man has ever won 4. He'd make the basketball hall of fame on college alone.Would Alex stay for a shot at a 4th ring? (I know, I know
dennismenace
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That is an excellent point about getting the best out of your own talent and taking advantage of playing in this caliber of program. Reminds me of "Everyday Ray"
nickname. It starts when you get here.
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A couple posters on OSU board claim Bundalo wants UConn but UConn backed off him. They also claim Michigan State backed off him. No clue if this is the case.
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An NBA GM once said about upper classmen deciding to return to college, "the more we see them, the less we like them"...something like that.
If Alex were to improve incrementally and return for a 4th season, even if he earns some big NIL, it would probably hurt his draft value. The draft, especially the lottery pics, are often about potential. His perceived upside would likely be in question.
I seriously doubt he would return regardless the outcome.
I hope he shows solid enough improvement to get drafted in the first round, or at least a high second round pick.
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Getting back to Bundalo, hopefully we'll hear more in the next week or so if UConn is still pursuing him or any other recruits. If UConn is done for the fall, I assume they'll keep tabs on any that would be a good fit that will wait till the spring, or could put their hat back into the ring, to see what needs might present themselves (i.e. current players that develop into likely NBA draft entries).
I think Bundalo is a great fit and would like him to be #4 in this recruiting class, but Hurley might prefer to keep a ship open for the portal to get a more ready to contribute player. And we don't even know if he sees UConn as a possible destination based on Reibe's decision and the likely array of returning players.
I don't think any of us really know what Hurley plans to do.
I think Bundalo is a great fit and would like him to be #4 in this recruiting class, but Hurley might prefer to keep a ship open for the portal to get a more ready to contribute player. And we don't even know if he sees UConn as a possible destination based on Reibe's decision and the likely array of returning players.
I don't think any of us really know what Hurley plans to do.
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Let’s see if it holds, as he’s not bound to it.
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It’s a very weird recruitment - almost as if flags on him came through late stage, and no one is willing to pull the trigger if they have options. OSU and MSU signed alternatives. I can see the kid wanting UConn given his personality, but perhaps that’s not reciprocal. If you look at the kids the staff has signed to date, soft spoken mature kids that come off very coachable. Maybe Niko’s fieriness seen as disruptive and too much of a wild hair, who knows. I’m not holding my breath on this one, but if it does happen will know the staff made the right decision thinking through all proper due diligence.
That guy is not right
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Of all the recruits we have been after, his videos looked the least impressive to me. Obviously, you can't tell much just from some highlight videos, and the kid is being recruited by us and is ranked that highly for a reason, but nothing really jumped out at me watching his highlights.... at least nothing that screamed day one starter/contributor. To me, he looked like a tall kid with some promise and perimeter skills that needs A LOT of development. Can he develop into something special? Sure! And if you're bringing him in with that mindset, great! But the 3 guys we got seem to me to be on a different level...they all look ready to contribute now. Bundalo's highlights just didn't give me that same feeling that the others' did. I fully acknowledge I haven't actually seen him play and I'll be excited if he comes here since if he does, it's because Hurley wanted him. I just don't see him making much of an impact here year one...and that's ok. Who knows though? Maybe others who have seen more of him feel differently. Maybe he's another Karaban.
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The game has radically changed for UConn and Hurley since #2. Realizing they can get more elite recruits might have forced them to reconsider their roster strategy. If your annual investment was making you more money than you planned on, would you up the amount of your investment or stand pat?
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Great take. And if Hurley wants to remain on the perch and evolve to stay ahead of the sport, what’s his move? Sports are copycat leagues. If something is working, be confident the competition is watching and will try to duplicate. Winning the tourney is HARD, becoming “bullet proof” is HARD. So when you have the clout to get special kids, have to maximize.
Saw UKs shot chart from their scrimmage - basically looked like an Oats chart. This concept of spacing and taking 3s or layups is the new trend. Shooters and stretch bigs, position-less hoops is in. It’s why Nikos skillset is particularly interesting.
How do you see Bundalo as a rebounder/defender?
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Niko Bundalo, Prolific Prep , Power Forward
Niko Bundalo is a 6-10, 215-pound Power Forward from Uniontown, OH.
247sports.com
Downside to most of the footage is it’s often focused on offense. But as a bouncy, tenacious and deceptively strong athlete at 6’10, you’d have to think great potential with the right coaching.
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I think furphy likes uconn alot he’s following every move they make & I believe he not bothered by not getting mins right away . Niko on the other hand is the more ideal option w/ karaban leaving he‘ll have a great path to playing time & with Michigan st & Ohio st recent commiments at his position & UConn being the much better option over UNC I can see him still considering UConn strongly if he stands by his quote about being uncomfortable & loving Hurley coaching style
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I would expect we'll be getting an indication through Dan's media availability events(in the near future) as to whether he's still "open for business" for any additional freshmen in the 2025 class. In the meantime-He's hyper-focused in getting the guys ready for Opening Night.
FWIW-I'm more optimistic than some re: the NBA future(s) of our sophomores -whenever it's their time.
FWIW-I'm more optimistic than some re: the NBA future(s) of our sophomores -whenever it's their time.
bendm
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thats nice but hurley also wants his guys to come back unless theyre 1st rounders. then he'll push them out the door, and rightfully so. i think/hope both ball and stew can play themselves into 2nd round locks but opt to come back for their junior years and then play themselves into 1st round locks. like we expect Alex will. if alex and liam are projected 1st rounds and ball and stew are projected 2nd rounders after this season that means we probably 3peated.
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you really like making theories up- We've seen Hurley is clearly quiet in recruiting but you are hypothesizing late stage flags and "maybe his fieriness seen as disruptive". Based on ANYTHING at all or just trying to get your daily posting quota in lol?
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It's along the lines of why the OSU posters say UConn and MSU backed off.
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fair enough. So its based on nothing but other fans without a clue. If we did back off, its because of a number logjam, not some character flaw we just discovered. I don't like how we tend to stigmatize the recruits who dont come here
it's pretty small samples but he's also improved his shooting numbers every year. the upside here is substantial. above 40% on 3s and over 80% ft at western reserve, high percentage inside finisher as well. just thinking about their recruiting tendency recently, a kid like this should be middle of the target zone.
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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.
JerseyAlum
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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.
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.
Didn’t Dan Hurley say in one of his interviews, don’t come back the same player next year. U need to be better
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Ament is a special player that you can't compare to Bundalo. He would clearly want and get a lot of PT. I'm only guessing but Bundalo would more likely be okay with getting moderate to low PT as a freshman as a very good development player, though in Hurley's system PT is earned in practice and games.
As much as I like getting highly talented and advanced offense recruits, adding too many potential 1-and-done typed will impact the culture where developing most members of the roster for 2 to 4 years would be in jeopardy.
temery
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Stop the transfer speculation And stay on topic. The thread is about Bundalo, not your thoughts about who should or will need to be replaced in 2025/26.
it's absolutely unfair to any player to suggest they won't be welcome back once the season is over, or they'd be better off leaving.
it's absolutely unfair to any player to suggest they won't be welcome back once the season is over, or they'd be better off leaving.
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Yeah, I hear the word fierce used to describe him, and one poster said his "fireiness" might be an issue. I'll take fierce and firey all day for a guy his size. Couple that with what appears to be a very strong desire for 06269 as his next zip code, and whats to debate?Niko Bundalo, Prolific Prep , Power Forward
Niko Bundalo is a 6-10, 215-pound Power Forward from Uniontown, OH.
Downside to most of the footage is it’s often focused on offense. But as a bouncy, tenacious and deceptively strong athlete at 6’10, you’d have to think great potential with the right coaching.
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