Top Connecticut players never to play at UCONN | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Top Connecticut players never to play at UCONN

Ernie Cobb was insane. Averaged 37.6 PPG his junior year at Stamford High under Herm Alswanger. Chose BC over UCLA, Kentucky and dozens of other schools who recruited him.
I remember when Ernie couldn't afford a new pair of sneakers.

Makes me wonder how good some of these 60s-70s guys could've been if they had decent footwear instead of old Chuck Taylors.
 
I remember when Ernie couldn't afford a new pair of sneakers.

Makes me wonder how good some of these 60s-70s guys could've been if they had decent footwear instead of old Chuck Taylors.
And his journey back to Stamford after a stint in a youth detention facility in Meriden, and admitting to Alswanger that he was illiterate… makes his story of a successful life post-BC even more impressive.
 
John Williamson - Wilbur Cross (New Mexico St). Jason Benton - Wilbur Cross (Manhattan). Geary Claxton - Career (Penn St). Craig Benson - Hamden High (QU). Dave McClure - Trinity Catholic (Duke). Rob "Fluff" McKiver - Hillhouse (Providence & Houston). Terrell Taylor - Bridgeport Central (Creighton & FL?).
Good list. Fluff Mckiver has a banner up at Houston and a bunch of records and great C-USA awards. Definitely could’ve played at UConn. Superior Collegiate shooter.
 
And his journey back to Stamford after a stint in a youth detention facility in Meriden, and admitting to Alswanger that he was illiterate… makes his story of a successful life post-BC even more impressive.
It wasn't really a secret that Ernie was illiterate. No idea how he ever got out of Dolan to get to SHS. I know kids who were held back and was always surprised he wasn't. I know he was Garry's cousin (who's older brother James was also a star athlete with SHS in the late 60s), but the two were nothing alike.

It's a good thing he had basketball.
 
Good list. Fluff Mckiver has a banner up at Houston and a bunch of records and great C-USA awards. Definitely could’ve played at UConn. Superior Collegiate shooter.
I don't think he would have lasted a week under Calhoun. I played with and against Fluff for ages. My man is a gunner's gunner with no regard for defense.
 
It wasn't really a secret that Ernie was illiterate. No idea how he ever got out of Dolan to get to SHS. I know kids who were held back and was always surprised he wasn't. I know he was Garry's cousin (who's older brother James was also a star athlete with SHS in the late 60s), but the two were nothing alike.

It's a good thing he had basketball.
Agree. Garry Cobb was a laser focused badass. 9th round pick, but played in the NFL for a decade. If Ernie didn’t have basketball, he would have ended up like his older brother.
 
1991 is pretty close to the 80s... sure your memory isn't a bit off. ;)
Oh, it's possible. But 1991 is post-dream season. The guy I'm thinking of was pre. Was there another Tony (with a y)? I'm gonna have to give in and do some research.
 
John Nelson of Hall High I think who played at URI with Sly also was a nice player.
URI played that Spanarkle-Gminski-Banks that went to the Finals in the 1st round. Lost by only a point. As long I'm testing my memory, iirc Nelson had a shot for the win late.
 
Good list. Fluff Mckiver has a banner up at Houston and a bunch of records and great C-USA awards. Definitely could’ve played at UConn. Superior Collegiate shooter.
Fluff was dope! I played (sat on the bench) against him in high school. He always had a smooth game. I feel like I remember him getting some time/sitting the bench for varsity his freshman year.
 
I actually met Henry Bibby when he coached for USC, looking for Will Solomon back in high school to recruit him I directed Mr. Bibby to the gym and we got to chop it up! Even though Solomon went to Clemson! I thought that was a moment I’ll never forget! Very Talented, and a real one! #Salute
 
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It wasn't really a secret that Ernie was illiterate. No idea how he ever got out of Dolan to get to SHS. I know kids who were held back and was always surprised he wasn't. I know he was Garry's cousin (who's older brother James was also a star athlete with SHS in the late 60s), but the two were nothing alike.

It's a good thing he had basketball.
James Cobb played football and graduated from Dartmouth with a History degree and was a long time teacher in Greenwich.
Gary Cobb also played baseball at USC
 
Unfortunately, a couple of guys on the list did end up playing at UConn. They just didn’t play for UConn.
 
Coach Gary Pallidino ,a contemporary, of Finn ( then Notre Dame West Haven coach) said Finn should have been playing for Michigan after graduating from Sacred Heart in 1962.Also Billy Rado, Naugatuck, Soph of the year at Georgia in the SEC. Going way back but very deserving of a mention.
Billy Rado, my middle/high school gym teacher. Still holds some records at Georgia last I knew. At the end of middle school gym class, he would play 10 players, 10 on one full court. If he lost, he would buy the entire gym class McDonald’s. I never once tasted those french fries.

Not sure if Clay Johnson’s older brother Stevie Johnson, out of Crosby High School, who went to Wagner has been mentioned.
 
Rick Mahorn (Weaver)
Charles Smith (Harding)
Michael Adams (HPHS)
John Bagley (Harding)
Wes Matthews (Harding)
Marcus Camby (HPHS)
Vin Baker (Old Saybrook)
Tremont Waters (New Haven)
Chris Dudley (arguable)
Malcolm Huckaby (Bristol)
Keith Closs (HPHS)
Courtney Alexander (Masuk)
Will Solomon (East Hartford)
Aaron Jackson (Northwest Catholic)
Jordan Williams (Torrington)
Ryan Gomes (Wilby)
Tyson Wheeler (New London)
Kris Dunn (New London)
Donovan Mitchell (grew up in Greenwich)
Tremont Waters (New Haven)
Mustapha Heron (Sacred Heart, Waterbury)

Who Am I missing?
Guard that went to UCLA?
 
Hey guys,

Staples HS in Westport was never known to produce DIV I players. 6'4" Mark Cizynski was the exception. Started three years for a winning URI program in mid-70's. Averaged double figures for career, was exceptional team player, & a very tough, number one defender on some good URI teams.

I remember how tough he was to score on in summer leagues.

The glue guys rarely get mentioned on polls like this, especially in CT.

Just my contribution.

Father Demo
 
Ernie Cobb was insane. Averaged 37.6 PPG his junior year at Stamford High under Herm Alswanger. Chose BC over UCLA, Kentucky and dozens of other schools who recruited him.
Herm didn't do Ernie any favors not getting any academic help for him and let him get away with so many not so good thingfs off the court.
 
Billy Finn .
Didn’t he die in a car crash very young
A slick ball handling guard from Waterbury
who kids wantied to emulate his style
That reminded me of Billy? Rado who teamed with UConn’s Ed Slomseski
at Naugy . I believe he played for University of Georgia.
He was another wizard with the ball and I recall him being criticized by the conservatives local sports writers for being a Hot Dog player plus being an Italian Yankee didn’t help .
Another writer came to his defense saying he may be a hot dog player but at least he can cut the mustard .
I always thought that was a great line
 

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