Who will UConn target in recruiting this summer?

[HooperScooper]

He's actually listed at 6'4 as a high school recruit on 247:
https://247sports.com/player/silas-demary-jr-46127714/high-school-283952/

Ah, I see. I was looking at this page but I think that was updated when he was a transfer prospect this past spring.

https://247sports.com/player/silas-demary-jr-46127714/

 

[Huskyforlife]

Mullins and Furphy are both listed at 6'5 on the UConn roster. The weird thing is Demary is listed at 6'3 on the UConn roster and he was listed at 6'5 in high school and at Georgia.

That is strange, he looks taller than Solo in highlights, and Solo is at least 6'4 in shoes.

 

[6&counting]

So at this stage, my understand of the feelings going around are:

Cole Cloer - UConn is pushing their chips in for this kid and experts are beginning to believe it's a UConn lean

Junior County - UConn is similarly pushing their chips in on this kid, seems to be a high priority (ahead of Mingo), but unclear where he's leaning at the moment

Arafan Diane - We like him, made his final 12, but sounds like a Houston lean right now (although their system seems to diametrically oppose his abilities in my opinion*)

Bryson Howard - We are very high on him, similar situation to County - unclear where he's leaning at the moment

Abdou Toure - UConn likes him, but isn't quite going all in on him (yet). There is definitely mutual interest, but seems to genuinely be open-ended on a landing spot - with real chances of landing at a different blue blood or Arkansas

Sayon Keita - We like him a lot. Re-classification to 2026 class all but inevitable at this point. Duke, UNC and UK are pushing VERY hard for him, unclear where he stands though.

Dylan Mingo - UConn likes him, but isn't all in on him (yet). Kid seems to be milking the process/limelight and may end up pushing to Spring for commitment. Unclear where he's leaning - although UW and NC St are pushing quite hard for him.

Qayden Samuels - Mutual interest, but doesn't seem to be more than that at this stage. Recently looking like a Maryland lean. DMV-based kid, Georgetown high in the mix as well.

Colben Landrew - recently offered. Unclear our level of interest. Looks like an SEC lean, but still early as he is a recent riser.

I may be missing someone in there, but I believe those are all the kids who we're actively recruiting this cycle as of now. Feel free to correct if any of that info is dated or anything.

 

[HooperScooper]

That is strange, he looks taller than Solo in highlights, and Solo is at least 6'4 in shoes.

Probably not since he's listed at 6-3 and besides a very few 7 foot centers (e.g. Clingan), I can't remember UConn under reporting heights.

Solo Ball - Men's Basketball - University of Connecticut Athletics

Solo Ball (1) Guard - 2024-25 (as a sophomore): Had a breakout campaign that netted Second Team All-BIG EAST honors…was an NABC All-District First Team pick....

uconnhuskies.com

 

[Umami Zen]

So at this stage, my understand of the feelings going around are:

Cole Cloer - UConn is pushing their chips in for this kid and experts are beginning to believe it's a UConn lean

Junior County - UConn is similarly pushing their chips in on this kid, seems to be a high priority (ahead of Mingo), but unclear where he's leaning at the moment

Arafan Diane - We like him, made his final 12, but sounds like a Houston lean right now (although their system seems to diametrically oppose his abilities in my opinion*)

Bryson Howard - We are very high on him, similar situation to County - unclear where he's leaning at the moment

Abdou Toure - UConn likes him, but isn't quite going all in on him (yet). There is definitely mutual interest, but seems to genuinely be open-ended on a landing spot - with real chances of landing at a different blue blood or Arkansas

Sayon Keita - We like him a lot. Re-classification to 2026 class all but inevitable at this point. Duke, UNC and UK are pushing VERY hard for him, unclear where he stands though.

Dylan Mingo - UConn likes him, but isn't all in on him (yet). Kid seems to be milking the process/limelight and may end up pushing to Spring for commitment. Unclear where he's leaning - although UW and NC St are pushing quite hard for him.

Qayden Samuels - Mutual interest, but doesn't seem to be more than that at this stage. Recently looking like a Maryland lean. DMV-based kid, Georgetown high in the mix as well.

Colben Landrew - recently offered. Unclear our level of interest. Looks like an SEC lean, but still early as he is a recent riser.

I may be missing someone in there, but I believe those are all the kids who we're actively recruiting this cycle as of now. Feel free to correct if any of that info is dated or anything.

Pretty good starting list for 2026.. Portal adds will influence the number of guys we go for re: incoming freshmen. All about our team success this year and how it leverages guys on our roster re: NBA aspirations/draftability. Thinking maybe 2 or 3 incoming freshmen and multiple portal adds.

 

[navery12]

Pretty good starting list for 2026.. Portal adds will influence the number of guys we go for re: incoming freshmen. All about our team success this year and how it leverages guys on our roster re: NBA aspirations/draftability. Thinking maybe 2 or 3 incoming freshmen and multiple portal adds.

Pretty unlikely we have that luxury. By the time we have any idea who we're adding from the portal every freshman is going to already be committed

 

[Lafayette]

Less of a luxury than a norm at this point..

Portal is open ~March
HS recruiting is late Summer to Fall.

So Spring 2025 was portal - we got who we needed for 2025-2026: Demary, Jr (Junior) , Malachi Smith (Senior), Alec Millender (Senior), Dwayne Koroma (RS Senior). Covers us mainly for 2025-26, and maybe Silas sticks around for 2026-27 or maybe goes NBA but either way I think the coaches know and some will depend on this season.

HS Recruiting - except for the rare reclassify down, is for the next season 2026-27. You try to sign based on needs for that year (figure we lose 3 of the transfers as Seniors, AK, Tarris, Diaby, and you are shopping for 6 more players for 2026-27 but say we grab 3 from HS, we need 3 from the transfer portal Spring 2026.

This will fluctuate for every team for every year depending on how many returning players they have. For us, returning our core contributors and letting small minutes guys leave was key to keeping this manageable.

 

[Umami Zen]

Pretty unlikely we have that luxury. By the time we have any idea who we're adding from the portal every freshman is going to already be committed

Didn't say we wouldn't start taking 2026 targets willing to commit. Hurley/Moore/Murray have all said that they are tweaking their HS recruiting approach to target first year impact freshmen along with portal talent-depending on roster needs/construction vs large freshmen classes (ala Fab Five). Clearly portal decisions are delayed until the end of the season and our returning roster has been established.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Probably not since he's listed at 6-3 and besides a very few 7 foot centers (e.g. Clingan), I can't remember UConn under reporting heights.

Solo Ball - Men's Basketball - University of Connecticut Athletics

Solo Ball (1) Guard - 2024-25 (as a sophomore): Had a breakout campaign that netted Second Team All-BIG EAST honors…was an NABC All-District First Team pick....

uconnhuskies.com

I just checked the website, it lists Demary at 6’5 now. It might’ve been a mistake earlier.

 

[HooperScooper]

There was some talk of Jordan Smith but there didn't seem to be much interest from the staff. He's narrowed down his list to Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, and Syracuse.

Five-star SG Jordan Smith Jr. down to six schools

Five-star Jordan Smith Jr. is down to six schools: Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, and Syracuse.

www.on3.com

 

[HuskyHawk]

I just checked the website, it lists Demary at 6’5 now. It might’ve been a mistake earlier.

And Solo is closer to 6'2". He's got long arms but he's not that tall. If he was 6'4" he would have gotten more draft interest last year.

Appreciate the summary update @6&counting, it's always a challenge to track at this time of year.