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

Top Connecticut players never to play at UCONN

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
 
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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
 
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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
 
Jeff Allen played for St. John's in the Chris Mullin era. Had a good senior year.
Ron Moye had a good career at UHart.
Kenny Green from Holy Cross went to URI and led NCAA Div 1 in blocks his senior year. He had the longest arms I've ever seen. He was 6'8" but played every bit like a 7 footer.

Green was overshadowed by Kelly Monroe at Holy Cross. Monroe went to BC but got caught up in a coaching change. I believe he was recruited by Gary Williams but he left and Jimmy O'Brien took over. Monroe transferred to Manhattan and I think had a couple of decent years.
 
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?
Sly Williams (Lee High, New Haven)
Bruce (Soup) Campbell (Wilbur Cross)
Super John Williamson (Wilbur Cross)
Maurice Williamson (Wilbur Cross)
Rocket Rod Foster (New Britain)
Phil Luckett (Waterbury)
Harold Pressley (St.Bernards)
John Pinone (Northwest Catholic )
GOING WAY WAY BACK.....
Bob Nash (HPHS)
Johnny Egan (Weaver)
OK, here's a few. Johnny Egan does go back to late 1950s, while the rest of them are 60's to 80s.
 
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Sly Williams (Lee High, New Haven)
Bruce (Soup) Campbell (Wilbur Cross)
Super John Williamson (Wilbur Cross)
Maurice Williamson (Wilbur Cross)
Rocket Rod Foster (New Britain)
Phil Luckett (Waterbury)
Harold Pressley (St.Bernards)
John Pinone (Northwest Catholic )
GOING WAY WAY BACK.....
Bob Nash (HPHS)
Johnny Egan (Weaver)
OK, here's a few. Johnny Egan does go back to late 1950s, while the rest of them are 60's to 80s.
Great additions. Pretty sure Pinone was South Catholic
 
Bob Nash. Went to HPHS. Played for Hawaii 70=72. Was 9th overall pick in 72 NBA draft by the Pistons. Played in NBA till 78-79.
Nash was part of the great HPHS team of Middle 60's, that played in the infamous "slippery floor" CIAC tournament game in Willimantic against Norwich Free Academy. Public was defeated by Wilbur Cross in the finals that year.
 
Great additions. Pretty sure Pinone was South Catholic
Not sure about that. I do think it was Northwest, but no matter. Few more that I forgot was Tom Roy (South Windsor), Dave Hicks Wilbur Cross early 60's, Greg Keith (NFA), and one that "initially" got away, but did end up @ UC., Chuck Alexsinas, WAMOGO, to Kentucky, but eventually to UC.
 
Jack Kvancz Harding, Johnny Egan Hartford Weaver. Both players were top in high school their senior year. Went to BCU and PC respectively.
Billy Evans, Hillhouse, played with Kvancz at BC coached by Cousy, played one year in the ABA with the Nets.
Jack Kvancz Harding, Johnny Egan Hartford Weaver. Both players were top in high school their senior year. Went to BCU and PC respectively.
 
Walt Luckett - averaged triple double his senior year at Kolbe - 39.5 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists - named national HS player of the year
Barry McLeod, Bridgeport Central, played at Centenary with Robert Parish, 7th round draft pick.
 
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?
Keith Closs never played at The Pub, he moved out of Hartford and the state in elementary school.
 
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John
Not sure about that. I do think it was Northwest, but no matter. Few more that I forgot was Tom Roy (South Windsor), Dave Hicks Wilbur Cross early 60's, Greg Keith (NFA), and one that "initially" got away, but did end up @ UC., Chuck Alexsinas, WAMOGO, to Kentucky, but eventually to UC.
Pinole definitely played at South Catholic.
 
fyi, Asked Chatgpt to rank connecticut natives in regard to NBA career. here is the top 10

Top 10 NBA Players from Connecticut (by Birth or Strong Ties)​


RankPlayerNotable Highlights
1.Calvin MurphyHall of Fame, 17.9 PPG career, all-time great FT shooter
2.Vin Baker4× All-Star, Olympic Gold, All-NBA, 15.0 PPG career
3.Marcus CambyDefensive POY, 12th all-time in blocks
4.Andre Drummond (raised in CT)2× All-Star, 4× rebounding leader
5.Rick MahornNBA Champion (1989 Pistons), 18-year career
6.Michael AdamsAll-Star (1992), nearly 10,000 points
7.Charles Smith14.4 PPG, solid NBA forward
8.John BagleySteady 12-year point guard
9.Scott BurrellNBA Champion (1998 Bulls), multi-sport athlete
10.Harold PressleyRole player for Kings, standout at Villanova
 
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?
"G-Man" from Masuk
 
Whenever I see top CT talent going out of state to play college bb I’m like “who hurt you?” Wouldn’t UConn be the dream for most hometown players?
 
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