UConn Basketball: Amida Brimah returns to Storrs to fill his role

Amida Brimah pulls out of the NBA Draft to finish up his senior season with UConn basketball.

One of the best defensive big men in all of college basketball will remain in Storrs, CT for his final season of eligibility.

UConn's Amida Brimah will return to school for his senior season, per release. Big news in the American Conference.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 24, 2016

Brimah declared for the 2016 NBA Draft, but did not hire an agent and was not invited to the NBA Draft Combine. Like many of the prospects that were not extended an invite to Chicago, Brimah saw the writing on the wall that he had to return to school.

The big man averaged only 6.5 points per game, grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game and has shot zero threes throughout his college career. He is a non-factor on the offensive end of the floor and is a player that doesn’t possess great hand-eye coordination.

The Ghana native also isn’t a solid rebounder for his size (7’0″) given his lack of strength and toughness.

Brimah’s value comes on defense where he protects the basket with his solid athleticism and elite length. His shot blocking prowess allows for UConn’s guards to gamble for steals and loose balls on the perimeter, which creates occasional transition opportunities.

NBA scouts are obviously intrigued with his ability defensively, but it’s clear that he will have to develop some type of offensive attack (whether it’s in the post or in the mid-range) to have a chance to be selected.

The NBA is just a goal right now though, as Brimah is critical returnee for a team that should be in the mix for a spot in the preseason top 25.

Guard Rodney Purvis also announced that he will be returning to Kevin Ollie’s program, joining rising sophomore Jalen Adams in the Huskies’ backcourt.

More from Busting Brackets

UConn also adds VCU transfer Terry Larrier and have a loaded recruiting class coming in that consists of three four-star recruits (Alterique Gilbert, Juwan Durham, Vance Jackson and Mamadou Diarra) and one three-star prospect (Christian Vital).

The Huskies have Steven Enoch back for his second season on campus, while Daniel Hamilton, Phillip Nolan, and Shonn Miller have moved on from UConn’s frontcourt to the professional ranks.

But Brimah isn’t just critical because of the losses in the frontcourt. He is important because other than Durham, this Huskies team does not have anyone that supports the combination of size and shot blocking ability that the Ghana native has.

NBA teams may be wary of his ghost-like mentality on the offensive end, but the Huskies are a program that normally relies on it’s guards to break down the defense and score the basketball.

Brimah isn’t needed to provide an offense punch. Instead, he will be the leader of the team, along with Purvis, and help tutor the younger players that will take over the paint in 2017-18.

Next: Big Ten teams wait on key draft decisions

He may not make a major jump offensively and will need to improve his rebounding totals with help from the team’s strength and conditioning program, but Brimah provides experience on a squad that has a ton of young bodies, and completes a roster that should compete atop the AAC standings.