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UConn Basketball: Best individual players from AAC era (2013-20)

By Ben Andreatta

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: Shabazz Napier #13 and the Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Michigan State Spartans to win the East Regional Final of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: Shabazz Napier #13 and the Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Michigan State Spartans to win the East Regional Final of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 07: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 07: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Starting lineup for UConn Basketball

Point Guard: Shabazz Napier

A really deep position for the Huskies but the choice for point guard was easy. Shabazz Napier was a monster in his only season in the AAC averaging 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 40 games. Written into the history books Shabazz is one of the best to wear a UConn jersey period. Napier got hot at the right time in the tournament scoring 20 or more points in four of the six games including 22 of the teams 60 in the national championship win over Kentucky. Deservedly he’s the first name on this lineup.

Off Ball Guard: Ryan Boatright

A lot of great guards but Boatright deserves to make the starting five, an important member of the 2014 national championship, Boatright was that second guard that Napier could play off of or vice versa. Boatright also had a big senior campaign the following season averaging 17.4 points per game. Boatright is a UConn guy through and through and his impact for the program makes him deserving of a spot in the AAC starting five.

Off Ball Guard / Forward: Christian Vital

I know, I know, it’s a small ball lineup but you just can’t leave Christian Vital on the bench and besides, UConn has played a ton of small ball in the most recent years. Vital was the guy that UConn went to a lot the past couple seasons, he deserved so much more but Husky fans are grateful for what he’s done for the program. He was the leader for a program going through a difficult transition, as an elite scorer, his 13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game for his career solidify he was one of the best players for UConn in the AAC.

Forward: Deandre Daniels

Here’s some size, only one season for UConn in the AAC but it was an important one. Deandre Daniels is probably the unsung hero for that 2014 national championship. He played a big role down the stretch for UConn in the NCAA tournament, his 20 points in the final four against Florida, and that high flying baseline dunk are something UConn fans will always remember.

Center: Amida Brima

Looking back at UConn in the American there aren’t many choices other than Brimah for bigs, he’s a national champion and did play a key role for the Huskies during his four-year career. Brimah started over 100 games for UConn averaging 6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Brimah will be remembered for his presence on the defensive side of the court as an elite shot blocker. Averaging 2.8 blocks per game, Brimah was a force in the paint and created a lot of havoc.