Who are the five most important recruits of the Hurley era? (including transfers)

[Matrim55]

I feel pretty comfortable listing Andre Jackson No. 1. He was a top-50 recruit with a national profile who went on to be a captain and winner – and eventually NBA player – as well as maybe the best culture-setter in program history.

I could also see arguments for Akok Akok (the first five-star of the Hurley era), RJ (huge transfer get at the time, and the only guy who could actually run any offense in his two years here), Tristen (PG on two national title teams), Castle (our first top 10 recruit in forever who might now become the first-ever UConn rookie of the year) and Clingan (local kid with two years, two titles and a spot in the lottery).

But I'm curious for everyone's top five and their rationale.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Newton
Spencer

End List

0* recruits who won national titles, dominated their opposition, and are now in the NBA

But for 5

Cole
Martin
Clingan

 

[HailUConn]

Clingan has to be #1. The dude is the foundational piece, even on 23'.
Ajax
Newton
Cam
Steph

 

[Matrim55]

You of all people forgot Emeka?

I forgot Emeka won ROY!

I'm gonna go do a lap and think about what I've done.

 

[superjohn]

1) Clingan- in-state giant we had to have. One of the best players ever from state of CT. Best defensive player in the country both seasons, two time national champion. Future defensive player of the year in NBA.

2) Tristen- struggled some his first season but was huge in title game. First team all-American at the most important position his second season. He stirred the drink. 2 time national champion.

3) Sanogo- best player on best team. Won a national championship which brought us back to the top of college basketball. Was dominant in the tournament.

4) Cam- he was the difference between an elite 8 type of team and the most dominant team we've ever seen. Gave us another creator/ballhandler, clutch as all hell, and he was the fire on the team. Our best offensive player on our best team ever IMO.

5) Castle should probably be higher because he was the best perimeter defender in the country, gave us physicality, scoring, and a third ball handler creator and he's going to pay huge dividends for the program as rookie of the year and a future star in the NBA

 

[husky429]

I'm thinking of this in terms of signaling to the world that we're back.

Clingan -- own your home turf

Newton -- own the transfer market

Castle -- prove we can bring in legit one-and-done all-star talent

Bouk -- Even if things have gone horribly wrong since, he was Hurley's first lotto pick and showed we could develop serious talent

I could make a case for a bunch of guys for the #5 spot. RJ, Rese, Jackson, Spencer... I'll go with Karaban. I doubt we win #5 and #6 without him.

 

[Huskygrad88]

Newton
Spencer

End List

0* recruits who won national titles, dominated their opposition, and are now in the NBA

But for 5

Cole
Martin
Clingan

Newton - I think we saw this year just we he did for us
RJ - Made his team as good as it could be as we were re-emmerging to relevance
Clingan - So, so dominant in the tourney (insert Illinois 30-0 run clip here)
Spencer - so rare to see someone so under hyped be that good
Castle - great to be able to hang an NBA rookie of the year banner in Werth

*Honorable Mention - Bouknight on talent alone, and getting UConns name relevant in the draft (despite his numbskullery)

Somehow after all he has done Karaban did not make the list.

 

[BFieldHusky]

I think Clinigan and Tristen had bigger overall impacts but beating Cuse for Jackson at that time, was huge.

 

[80shusky]

1. Donovan Clingan
2. Donovan Clingan
3. Donovan Clingan
4. Donovan Clingan
5. Donovan Clingan

 

[TheHorde]

Castle, Newton, Clingan, Spencer, and Sanogo. Andre Jackson and Hawkins have to be either in the conversation or on the list somewhere. Newton and Clingan are probably the most important parts of two title teams, so I think they’d be my top two.

 

[Fatroony5]

Donovan Clingan
Andre Jackson
Adama Sanogo
Tristen Newton
Alex Karaban

There are a few others that are all super close: Akok Akok, Bouknight, Castle, Spencer. I just think getting those foundational pieces were a bit bigger than the rest. To me, Alex really changed their recruiting philosophy & play style. Fun exercise tho, easily 10 guys you can put up there. Just think Clingan, Newton, & Andre have to be in it.

 

[kansashusky]

I think Clinigan and Tristen had bigger overall impacts but beating Cuse for Jackson at that time, was huge.

And the WAY we beat them for Andre. He was signed, sealed and delivered to Cuse and Dan just refused to be outworked. This really was the tipping point.

 

[Dutch Boyd]

Can’t sleep on Sanogo.

 

[upstater]

Can’t sleep on Sanogo.

I can't believe more people didn't respond with him.

It wasn't only the great play, but the intensity at practice.

He started ahead of Clingan and showed everyone the ropes.

He was holding it down before Ajax came into his own.

Adama deserves so much credit for everything so far.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I think Clinigan and Tristen had bigger overall impacts but beating Cuse for Jackson at that time, was huge.

Jackson & Akok were the one-two punch that beat Syracuse and led to the prolonged burial of Boeheim.

 

[bendm]

In alphabetical order
Clingan
Jackson
Karaban
Newton
Sanogo

 

[Waquoit]

I like Cole as a trailblazer. The fact that he played so well going up in class showed early on that Hurley knows what he's doing. I think that added value. Many folks were convinced that getting a player from that conference in particular was a reach because he couldn't get anyone else. Turns out Hurley got his guy. Now the rep is: if Hurley wants you, you must be worth getting.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Can’t sleep on Sanogo.

Sanago was the focal point of the 22-23season offensively. He has to be in the Mix
Karaban was huge because he provided a drep threat at the 4 which made doubling Sanogo costly .if not impossible.
Hawkins , Jackson , Clingan , Castle
Plus transfers Spencer , Newton were all huge gets
However without Bouknight being drafted do we get the other guys.? So Bouk as sad as his s career went is probably his key recruit .To recruit player you have get people to the NBA.
Alok was highly regarded but injuries short circuited success

 

[Bazz4A]

Agreed with those saying Sanogo should be included. Not just because he was awesome and delivered in a big way. But the recruitment itself - we stole him from Seton Hall which I think showed us what level of recruiter Hurley would become. But also, I think the year before we got beat out last minute for Kofi Cockburn by Illinois - getting a stud center the following year was a huge need.

 

[Mr. French]

Castle
Clingan
Newton
Bouknight
Andre

I THINK that’s my order, but that’s off the dome. I like the topic and most answers so far.

 

[boog204]

Karaban is #1 b/c Hurley says everything changed when he came on board. Doesn't mean AK was the best player, but Hurley gives endless credit to him for his presence.

Then some mix of Clingan, Newton, Castle, Jackson, Sanogo, Bouk...

 

[Travelman6]

It's amazing that we're already at the point where it's legit unfair to be limited to 5. And in making a top 5, feeling bad about the high level talent left off. But that's what Hurley has brought us in just a few years.

 

[Umami Zen]

Depends on time frame. Recent history. Castle-Clingan-Newton-Sanogo-Demary

 

[TheShot1990]

Luke Murray

 

[NJHusky]

In alphabetical order
Clingan
Jackson
Karaban
Newton
Sanogo

tough to argue with that list, though as @husky429 said, getting Bouk drafted in the lotto showed something