Connecticut Recruiting Report
VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Jerome Dyson, G (Proctor Academy, NH)
Projected 2006-2007 Roster:
Seniors: Marcus Williams (PG), Josh Boone (PF/C)
Juniors: Rudy Gay (SF)
Sophomores: AJ Price (G), Marcus Johnson (WG), Jeff Adrien (F), Craig Austrie (G), Robert Garrison (PG).
Freshmen: Curtis Kelly (BF/C), Will Harris (F), Ramar Smith (G), Jerome Dyson (G).
Hartford Courant Story on Dyson's decision: Dyson Picks Huskies.
Links to our previous Connecticut recruiting write-ups: Sept 6 Report, July 8 Report, July 25 Round-Up.
Connecticut is VERY close to having their own "Fab 5" committed prior to the early signing period. As expected from the last couple days, 6'4 guard Jerome Dyson pulled the trigger and committed to coach Jim Calhoun and his Connecticut Huskies. Dyson, a Maryland native, chose UConn over Boston College and Maryland, among others.
READ MORE....CLICK BELOW!
Now, the hot rumor around is that big man Jonathan Mandeldove, who was a commitment for VCU last year, before opening it up after he did not qualify and ended up at Hargrave Military Academy this season, has pulled the trigger and committed to UConn. If true, it would mean Mandeldove has beat some of the other big men that have visited UConn or are planning to visit UConn to the punch. We will have more on this as it becomes available.
Dyson is definitely more of a "combo" guard, but he might get a shot to play some point guard at Connecticut, especially if Marcus Williams is not with the team next year (2006-2007). Williams could opt to enter the NBA draft and, along with AJ Price, does have the outstanding issues of "laptop-gate" Price, as most already know, has medical issues that have kept him from getting cleared to play. With that said, I do not see UConn recruiting a point guard for the current class, but you can expect them to pull a top point guard in the 2007 class.
If the Mandeldove commitment is confirmed, that could mean they might be out of the mix with California big men Deon Thompson, who was also visiting this weekend, and Alex Stepheson. With the anticipated departures of Josh Boone and Rudy Gay, there are still scholarships potentially coming open, but they could opt for places with less immediate competition in their class. A spring JUCO player could be a nice addition to their class in the front court and compliment Mandeldove and Curtis Kelly in this class and Jeff Adrien from last year and give the classes some balance.
One situation to monitor is Ramar Smith. Smith recently left the South Kent Prep school and returned to Detroit, MI. We are not sure of the reasons or if this might impact his qualifying status or his commitment to UConn. We will keep an eye on this.
With Mandeldove, UConn will have 13 scholarships committed to next season, but we have already mentioned the questions around Gay, Boone, Williams and Price and if they will return. We still feel UConn has the need for a perimeter shooter and Lazer Hayward, a native of Buffalo, NY who is prepping at Notre Dame Academy, is a real possibility. Hayward played AAU basketball with Robert Garrison and that could make a difference. Marquette has been a leader for his services for sometime, but he would be a good addition filling a much needed void for UConn. It is possible that Connecticut could end up without any seniors or juniors on their 2006-2007 roster, so it will probably be safe to assume they hold at least a coupel scholarships open, if the expected attrition takes place. Also, the aforementioned JUCO route could help balance the classes a bit, too.
Projected 2006-2007 Roster:
Seniors: Marcus Williams (PG), Josh Boone (PF/C)
Juniors: Rudy Gay (SF)
Sophomores: AJ Price (G), Marcus Johnson (WG), Jeff Adrien (F), Craig Austrie (G), Robert Garrison (PG).
Freshmen: Curtis Kelly (BF/C), Will Harris (F), Ramar Smith (G), Jerome Dyson (G).
Hartford Courant Story on Dyson's decision: Dyson Picks Huskies.
Links to our previous Connecticut recruiting write-ups: Sept 6 Report, July 8 Report, July 25 Round-Up.
Connecticut is VERY close to having their own "Fab 5" committed prior to the early signing period. As expected from the last couple days, 6'4 guard Jerome Dyson pulled the trigger and committed to coach Jim Calhoun and his Connecticut Huskies. Dyson, a Maryland native, chose UConn over Boston College and Maryland, among others.
READ MORE....CLICK BELOW!
Now, the hot rumor around is that big man Jonathan Mandeldove, who was a commitment for VCU last year, before opening it up after he did not qualify and ended up at Hargrave Military Academy this season, has pulled the trigger and committed to UConn. If true, it would mean Mandeldove has beat some of the other big men that have visited UConn or are planning to visit UConn to the punch. We will have more on this as it becomes available.
Dyson is definitely more of a "combo" guard, but he might get a shot to play some point guard at Connecticut, especially if Marcus Williams is not with the team next year (2006-2007). Williams could opt to enter the NBA draft and, along with AJ Price, does have the outstanding issues of "laptop-gate" Price, as most already know, has medical issues that have kept him from getting cleared to play. With that said, I do not see UConn recruiting a point guard for the current class, but you can expect them to pull a top point guard in the 2007 class.
If the Mandeldove commitment is confirmed, that could mean they might be out of the mix with California big men Deon Thompson, who was also visiting this weekend, and Alex Stepheson. With the anticipated departures of Josh Boone and Rudy Gay, there are still scholarships potentially coming open, but they could opt for places with less immediate competition in their class. A spring JUCO player could be a nice addition to their class in the front court and compliment Mandeldove and Curtis Kelly in this class and Jeff Adrien from last year and give the classes some balance.
One situation to monitor is Ramar Smith. Smith recently left the South Kent Prep school and returned to Detroit, MI. We are not sure of the reasons or if this might impact his qualifying status or his commitment to UConn. We will keep an eye on this.
With Mandeldove, UConn will have 13 scholarships committed to next season, but we have already mentioned the questions around Gay, Boone, Williams and Price and if they will return. We still feel UConn has the need for a perimeter shooter and Lazer Hayward, a native of Buffalo, NY who is prepping at Notre Dame Academy, is a real possibility. Hayward played AAU basketball with Robert Garrison and that could make a difference. Marquette has been a leader for his services for sometime, but he would be a good addition filling a much needed void for UConn. It is possible that Connecticut could end up without any seniors or juniors on their 2006-2007 roster, so it will probably be safe to assume they hold at least a coupel scholarships open, if the expected attrition takes place. Also, the aforementioned JUCO route could help balance the classes a bit, too.
posted by NBE Blogger @ 1:28 PM
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