We need a current UConn player to be a NBA star player

[wingsfan055]

Thats the one thing missing from the past decade. I guess Kemba & Drummond are the closest. I'm hoping Sanogo or Hawk can be elite at the next level, but I'm not sure. Hawk needs another year of development (physically and mentally) to be able to have an NBA impact, imo. I hope he doesnt turn into a Bouknight who wasnt ready.

 

[AdamaNation]

Bouk rocking his UConn uni for the game shows love and maybe some buyer’s remorse in leaving so early. I say we don’t need stars to keep the program running. It needs to happen organically like under Calhoun. We just need to win. Have a type of game that wins but looks fun to play. And a monster fan base. UConn nation showed up every game. Every where. We are a lot bigger a fan base than most,even I , thought. Otis don’t hurt though. Castle is coming

 

[wingsfan055]

It's still a 2 yr college career and head to the Pros league. Having UConn have their players in the Show is the best recruiting strategy!

 

[UCTitleTown]

I think Hawk can be a star in the new style NBA, but I'd like to see him take another year to get stronger and work on his overall offensive game. He's amazing from three, but can improve in other aspects.

 

[UConnJim]

You have choice. Recruit mostly one and dones that become NBA stars like Kentucky or recruit highly ranked recruits that need some development and will stay 2 or 3 years and win championships like UConn?

 

[Deleted at users request]

I think at minimum Hawkins can be a great role player if he really picks it up on defense.

The fact that he doesn’t need the ball much can help him play next to a lot of stars.

 

[caw]

I think at minimum Hawkins can be a great role player if he really picks it up on defense.

The fact that he doesn’t need the ball much can help him play next to a lot of stars.

Depends on the team he goes to, he would be horrid on Charlotte. Why, because everyone is horrid on Charlotte. Don't draft Hawkins MJ.

 

[awfuldan]

Kemba and Drummond count as NBA stars I would say. Both multi-time All-stars, both made All-NBA, etc. If you are looking for one of our players to become a bigger star than that, it's going to be hard. There aren't many superstars of that level, and some of them don't go to college. Not every big basketball school is going to have a guy like that in recent history. Look at UNC for instance - blue blood, lots of recent on-court success, lots of NBA draft picks, but their best current NBA player is Cam Johnson (role guy, will likely never make an Allstar team).

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Hawkins needs to fully grow into his body but he should be a very good NBA two guard. If Bouk gets things in order, he still has a chance at becoming a good pro as well. I'm convinced that he needs both a change of scenery and a lightbulb moment.

Sanogo needs the correct situation but he can be a very useful NBA player if he lands in the right spot.

 

[CTBasketball]

Hawkins needs to fully grow into his body but he should be a very good NBA two guard. If Bouk gets things in order, he still has a chance at becoming a good pro as well. I'm convinced that he needs both a change of scenery and a lightbulb moment.

Sanogo needs the correct situation but he can be a very useful NBA player if he lands in the right spot.

Tyrese Martin probably has a better shot at a longer NBA career than Bouknight at this point.

Hawkins needs to go since he’s projected first round. Get the bag. He’ll do better than Bouknight because he’s a pure shooter and has a level head.

 

[boog204]

I think Hawkins could be a very good NBA player. Kind of like a later career Ray as the 2nd or 3rd guy on a good team scoring 17-20ppg as a knockdown shooter.

 

[bluestreak]

Depends on the team he goes to, he would be horrid on Charlotte. Why, because everyone is horrid on Charlotte. Don't draft Hawkins MJ.

Agree. IMHO Charlotte is a place where promising careers go to die.
Of all the Huskies who have been drafted there or briefly touched down there , I can't think of one who went on to build a career, post Charlotte. Kemba's body was literally used up. Likewise Mek. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Drummond fared better in Detroit where they decided to groom him and ease him into the rotation as a young rookie.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Depends on the team he goes to, he would be horrid on Charlotte. Why, because everyone is horrid on Charlotte. Don't draft Hawkins MJ.

MJ is cashing out on his Charlotte investment. Going forward that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[jibsey]

Some team is going to be happy to have Sanogo in the future. I know diddly about the NBA but I know how hard Sanogo will work to be successful.

 

[McLovin]

I think Jackson has a lot of potential due to his unique skill set and great defense. Kind of make a name for himself like Marcus Smart (with a different offensive skill set, of course).

Maybe not an NBA MVP level guy, but definitely someone even casuals know, probably makes all star games and on all NBA defense team.

If Hawkins is on a contender I think he could be in the same boat as someone who can make a name for himself that even the casuals know, even as just a sharpshooter.

 

[McLovin]

Sanogo is interesting… I think he can play the 4 in the NBA. Really hope he gets drafted and is given a shot.

 

[djct1999]

Can’t Sanago be a Dreymond Green type in the right system on the right team?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think the NBA is migrating towards seeing the value of inside play again. Embiid's likely MVP will be a move in that direction. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the 4th best team in the East leaning heavily on an inside game.

Brook Lopez or Al Horford are good models for what Sanogo could be at the next level. Sanogo has to speed up his 3 point shot release, but pro teams will work with him on that. The important thing is that he can hit that shot now. He is shorter than those two, but he has long arms so he should be able to defend.

 

[gorbowski06]

For Sanogo it will be about Fit and trust. He will have to show he can cover Stretch 4s on the perimeter.

I personally just question weather his defense will be good enough to put him at the five position in the NBA

 

[andy34]

Don't look now, but Bouk might just be starting to figure things out. He's been up with Charlotte much more frequently than he was last year, and his playing time has increased. He just had his 2 best back-to-back games (see screenshot). Still a work in progress at the NBA level obviously, but I'm hoping that he's turned the corner and has left some of the maturity concerns behind him.

Here's some highlights from his recent games:

• James Bouknight 22 pts 6 threes 4 asts vs Bulls 22/23 season

 

[AdamaNation]

I think Hawkins could be a very good NBA player. Kind of like a later career Ray as the 2nd or 3rd guy on a good team scoring 17-20ppg as a knockdown shooter.

I’m thinking more one dimensional like Allan Houston which in itself is good as they were smith g the elite Knick teams if the era. Needs 20 lbs of muscle though.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I’m thinking more one dimensional like Allan Houston which in itself is good as they were smith g the elite Knick teams if the era. Needs 20 lbs of muscle though.

Already a better defender than Houston…..

 

[Poe]

I don’t know if a star is needed (a this point a starter would be nice), but we do need to get bodies into the NBA at a consistent level again.

Bouknight and Martin are a nice start. If Hawkins, AJ and Sanogo all make it, that would be even better, with Clingan, Karaban and Castle in the pipleline.

Hurley can tell recruits, hey 7-8 recent former players are in the league, another reason to come to UConn. Particularly if those recruits are in the 25-100 range.

 

[jibsey]

I don’t know if a star is needed (a this point a starter would be nice), but we do need to get bodies into the NBA at a consistent level again.

Bouknight and Martin are a nice start. If Hawkins, AJ and Sanogo all make it, that would be even better, with Clingan, Karaban and Castle in the pipleline.

Hurley can tell recruits, hey 7-8 recent former players are in the league, another reason to come to UConn. Particularly if those recruits are in the 25-100 range.

We start getting recruits in the 1-10 range, problem solved.

 

[Waquoit]

Kemba and Drummond count as NBA stars I would say.

Drummond turned into a punchline.

 

[gtcam]

I think the NBA is migrating towards seeing the value of inside play again. Embiid's likely MVP will be a move in that direction. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the 4th best team in the East leaning heavily on an inside game.

Brook Lopez or Al Horford are good models for what Sanogo could be at the next level. Sanogo has to speed up his 3 point shot release, but pro teams will work with him on that. The important thing is that he can hit that shot now. He is shorter than those two, but he has long arms so he should be able to defend.

Sanogo's 3 pt shooting is nowhere on the level of Horford or even Lopez. Sanogo cant hit the shot with someone near or in his face. Horford went into the league with midrange and 3 pt ready ability - AS has neither. Lopez is 7'1", AS is maybe 6'8" - huge difference
I am not saying that AS won't be a NBA player but it will take a very unique situation for a team to draft him. They don't draft for practice fodder anymore.
I see him making a lot of money overseas.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think Hawk can be a star in the new style NBA, but I'd like to see him take another year to get stronger and work on his overall offensive game. He's amazing from three, but can improve in other aspects.

Hawk has to get stronger and work on his game in some areas. But it's easier to do that in the NBA than in college. He'll have elite coaching and S&C guys, nutrition experts, and no other job than just getting better.

The question with Bouk wasn't physical, it was mental. Some kids need college to get their heads right. He had to go, but it seems he wasn't really mentally prepared to be a professional at first. I don't think Hawkins has that problem.

I am convinced that Sanogo is more athletic and more skilled outside of his elite interior offense, than any of us know. He will work tirelessly and in the NBA can probably get a little lighter and quicker. He guarded Miami's outstanding wings and shuts them down. He was all over the place defensively in that game, blocking shots and closing down penetration and guarding 3's. He can definitely be a 4.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Haven’t seen this brought up yet, but I think DC is going to be really, really good in the NBA. Him and Castle both have the potential to be top 10 picks next year from a size and talent standpoint.

The kid was singlehandedly stopping fast breaks during the tournament at 7’2 and would run the floor just as well for our own. It’s not normal to see 7’2 guys move like that. If he shows a sliver of a three point shot next year to go along with his passing ability teams are going to be foaming at the mouth.

 

[CL82]

I think Hawk can be a star in the new style NBA, but I'd like to see him take another year to get stronger and work on his overall offensive game. He's amazing from three, but can improve in other aspects.

Agree, but if he is offered millions to make the jump now, it’s kind of tough to say no.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Haven’t seen this brought up yet, but I think DC is going to be really, really good in the NBA. Him and Castle both have the potential to be top 10 picks next year from a size and talent standpoint.

The kid was singlehandedly stopping fast breaks during the tournament at 7’2 and would run the floor just as well for our own. It’s not normal to see 7’2 guys move like that. If he shows a sliver of a three point shot next year to go along with his passing ability teams are going to be foaming at the mouth.

The dilemma for the NBA GM's and player personnel gurus is whether or not Clingan's ability to shut down the lane in college translates to the pros. Bigger, faster, better athletes coming at you. I sure as heck don't know the answer but that's the question for those types to figure out.