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UConn Basketball: Jalen Gaffney and James Bouknight transform backcourt for 2019-20

By Brad Cavallaro

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 05: Josh Carlton #25 of the Connecticut Huskies works around Paschal Chukwu #13 of the Syracuse Orange in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 05: Josh Carlton #25 of the Connecticut Huskies works around Paschal Chukwu #13 of the Syracuse Orange in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

UConn’s Frontcourt Aspirations

UConn’s 2019 class is off to an excellent start, but they are far from done. The Huskies still need a big man as Josh Carlton, Isaiah Whaley, and Mamadou Diarra will all be juniors when a potential 2019 signee would be a freshman. The Huskies’ biggest target at the center position is Kofi Cockburn, a top 50 player who recently cut his list to 8 which included UConn.

If they are unable to land Cockburn, they will likely shift their focus to a trio of borderline top 100 bigs, Tyrese Samuel, Qudus Wahab, and Tre Mitchell. The 247 crystal ball has UConn as the favorite for Samuel, but Pittsburgh and Notre Dame for Wahab and Mitchell respectively.

Even after they land a center, UConn is pursuing some 5 star talent to upgrade its SF and PF positions. Precious Achiuwa is an elite wing prospect who is considered a top ten player in the class of 2019. The Huskies have Sidney Wilson at SF, but you cannot turn down a player of Achiuwa’s caliber and the two could play together as Achiuwa could be a perfect small-ball PF. His recruitment has been quiet, but it seems like St. John’s, Syracuse, and Kansas are the main threats.

Lastly, UConn would love to land a commitment from Akok Akok, the rare shot-blocking/ three-point shooter. This intriguing skillset would fit well on almost any roster and that is why schools like Syracuse and Providence are recruiting the 5-star prospect so intensely.

dark. Next. UConn 2018-19 season preview

UConn’s 2019 class is off to a great start with Gaffney and Bouknight, but this class could change the trajectory of the program if the Huskies can land some of their remaining top targets. I’m sure UConn fans are dreaming of adding Achiuwa, Akok, and Cockburn to create a class to would rank top 5 nationally. I think will land at least one of their top frontcourt targets which will be more than enough to rejuvenate the program.