Storrs Central: On-Court Autograph & Picture Session with UConn MBB - August 3rd following the Open Team Workout

[MilliniumPrince]

Play of the day

 

[MilliniumPrince]

I said the same thing watching that highlight video from practice. I know it's just a short highlight video from practice, but he did not look like a 70-85 rated recruit.

He looked better in person. Physical specimen. Runs effortlessly and his jumper is surprisingly smooth.

 

[HooperScooper]

The kind of stuff the NBA told him to work on. Good sign.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

I keep getting texts about how good Jayden Ross looks.

I thought he had the best day overall. If he played like that, Hurley won't have enough minutes.

 

[HooperScooper]

Borges first off the press with an article from today.

"Will we have the same high-end talent, two top-7 picks last year ? I don't know, we'll see," he confessed. "But the overall competition we've got on the court this year, that 1-10, it's the best overall competition to get minutes since I've been here."

UConn men's basketball team's great depth on display in open practice

The UConn men's basketball team's superior depth was the highlight of an open practice Saturday at Gampel Pavilion.

www.nhregister.com

Alternate access:

UConn men's basketball team's great depth on display in open practice​

 

[huskymedic]

 

[uconn_jack]

I thought he had the best day overall. If he played like that, Hurley won't have enough minutes.

I agree. Karaban was the best player on the floor, as he should be, but I was most impressed (considering expectations) with Ross and Abraham. Nowell looked good, and Singare looked like he can play. Diarra, Ball, and Johnson were solid, but Stewart struggled. McNeeley and Mahaney were ok, but not great, I just think they need some more time to get used to the system, and the speed, size, and strength of their opponents, the talent is obviously there. Surprisingly, as freshman, Nowell and Abraham seemed to slide in most easily.

 

[Zionn]

Any recruits in the house?

 

[huskymedic]

 

[MilliniumPrince]

I agree. Karaban was the best player on the floor, as he should be, but I was most impressed (considering expectations) with Ross and Abraham. Nowell looked good, and Singare looked like he can play. Diarra, Ball, and Johnson were solid, but Stewart struggled. McNeeley and Mahaney were ok, but not great, I just think they need some more time to get used to the system, and the speed, size, and strength of their opponents, the talent is obviously there. Surprisingly, as freshman, Nowell and Abraham seemed to slide in most easily.

Singera looks like he put in a lot of good work. J Stew had good energy, but seemed to doubt his jumper... until he got one to go I'm. He then hit 3 straight in the scrimmage.

McNeeley is lights out on the corner 3, but he looked sluggish overall. He is also a freshman getting g used to intense college practices. Summer ball conditioning is hard . We used to call it Hell Week for a reason

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Any recruits in the house?

I didn't notice any but it was hard to tell.

 

[temery]

'from the stands?

 

[temery]

Any recruits in the house?

Every boy in attendance.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[ItsNotSo]

The post practice autograph session seemed like it was oversold. The line for autographs wrapped around the lower base, probably 500 people in line. I got in line 15 minutes before practice ended and I was probably 30th in line. All the guys were terrific. The organizer of the event should have capped tickets. Does anyone know if the event ended or was cut short before everyone in line got through?

 

[temery]

The post practice autograph session seemed like it was oversold. The line for autographs wrapped around the lower base, probably 500 people in line. I got in line 15 minutes before practice ended and I was probably 30th in line. All the guys were terrific. The organizer of the event should have capped tickets. Does anyone know if the event ended or was cut short before everyone in line got through?

Did they take or mark the bands so they couldn't be handed off to someone else?

 

[Incursio007]

Saw this live and was stunned. Stayed for autographs with the Family and literally every player was so nice (patient with all 4 of my kids too lol). Great kids and a great team! November can’t come soon enough!

 

[ItsNotSo]

Did they take or mark the bands so they couldn't be handed off to someone else?

Nope.

 

[MTBingNinja]

Look, everyone looked great out there. But most impressive to my eyes for either being much better than expected or looking like they had big leaps from last year were Ross & Abraham.

Mahaney had trouble shooting, but it’ll come. Probably has to get used to the speed at this level.

 

[Woof 101]

The post practice autograph session seemed like it was oversold. The line for autographs wrapped around the lower base, probably 500 people in line. I got in line 15 minutes before practice ended and I was probably 30th in line. All the guys were terrific. The organizer of the event should have capped tickets. Does anyone know if the event ended or was cut short before everyone in line got through?

This was a NIL event which one would think could never be oversold. It was a cha ching thing for every player every time they signed a ball.
Never saw so many young children at a UConn basketball game let alone a practice. That and so many with high end basketballs to be signed. Future fans and possible recruits, well done.

Attended the spring football thing along with a multiple Uconn sports apparel and gear sale and the lines were two hours to check out. Real deal and many with arm loads of garb waited it out. No attack but welcome to UConn Nation.... It Is So:

 

[UConnSwag11]

Looks like a big kid

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Looks like a big kid

He definitely surprised me. I didn't think he was that tall and solidly built.

 

[jostar1]

 

[Kemba Time]

Since I was corralling a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old at Gampel, I’ll keep my takeaways to the post-practice autograph session and let others vouch for the fact that we are deeeeep and going to be a problem for the rest of the country again on the court.

They were clearly overwhelmed by the turnout. Tom Moore running around trying to appease everyone, they brought out the championship trophy for pictures for everyone waiting. The line was still halfway around the concourse when I left at 2:15, but I think everyone who stayed got down.

That said, once we got to the court it was AWESOME. Everyone who attended got an autograph, photo and meaningful conversation with every single player.

We’ve won two straight national championships but I continue to be blown away by the culture and people on our roster. Every single player was genuine, engaged, excited, respectful and finished every interaction with a sincere “Thanks for coming today.” Not one of them was too cool or acting like they had somewhere else to be even hours into this event coming directly off of a practice.

Some highlights:

+ Alex. He’s family by now. We printed out a picture of Alex and my toddler together from a year ago to sign and he was so genuinely appreciative of us doing that. Saw it and immediately said “Was that Red Fox? Fun night”

My wife said something about being glad he’s back and I added “Mostly for the podcast” he loved that and responded “I know, right? Season 3!” My two-year-old was so comfortable with him, that he took Alex’s seat and sat in it, and Alex was like sure, he can just stay with me for the day.

+ Aidan. For 3 hours, he asked every fan who came to the table with him and Abraham if they enjoyed practice and what their favorite part was with a huge smile.

+ Solo. Just an awesome guy. Bright personality, big smile. Signed our ball in silver when everyone else had in black and you could just immediately tell it was a very Solo thing to do as he laughed at himself and apologized

+ Youssouf. Seeing him bend his 6’10” frame down to pose with my toddler was hilarious.

+ Liam. My wife said afterward there was something about his calm presence that she really liked. Just a guy you instantly feel like you connected with.

+ Jayden, Samson. Both went out of their way to get down and give high fives and fist bumps on the ground while starting convos with tiny human beings.

+ Ahmad. Not gonna lie, my kids are ridiculously cute. They get all the attention. Nowell was the one player who went out of his way to shake my hand, look me in the eye and say “Nice to meet you.”

I interacted with each of these guys for like 30-45 seconds and automatically went to a first name like I know them well typing this. That says it all.

Anyone who walked out of the open practice saw a team with a damn good chance at 3 in a row, but everyone who stuck around for the next couple hours left Gampel even more impressed.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Singare had the play of the day…leaked out on a fast break, got the pass, took a few dribbles, then delivered a perfect behind the back pass to a trailing Abraham (I think ) for a monster jam!

I’m such a lame brain. There was so much going on during the practice it was tough to remember everything..

The play I was referring to starts at 0:26 in this video…

Singare actually blocked a Samson 3pt attempt, leaks out for the break, then returns the ball back to Abraham for the dunk: