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UConn Basketball: Analyzing Huskies 2021 incoming recruiting class

By Thomas Giustino

Mar 12, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dan Hurley Basketball (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Dan Hurley Basketball (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

UConn Basketball’s recruiting has gotten a huge boost with the hire of Dan Hurley and the transition to the new Big East (something nearly every UConn recruit has mentioned upon committing). As the season quickly approaches, I decided to take a brief look at the recruiting boon under Dan Hurley, including a more detailed look at the 4-man freshman class of 2021.

Hurley was hired to rebuild the championship-level program that Husky fans have grown accustomed to. For Hurley, this started on the recruiting trail. Brendan Adams, a 3-star guard from Baltimore was the first recruit of the Hurley era, opting to decommit from URI and follow his coach to UConn.

The Baltimore native graduated in three years and grad-transferred to George Washington where he will play this upcoming season. Since arriving in Storrs, Hurley and his staff have consistently reeled in top 25 recruiting classes with a major focus on retaining talent from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas.

In Hurley’s second year, his first year with a full recruiting cycle, he brought in James Bouknight who has revitalized the UConn guard tradition after being selected 11th overall to the Charlotte Hornets in this year’s NBA draft.

This class also included transfer RJ Cole, the starting point guard and veteran leader for the Huskies. Jalen Gaffney, Akok Akok, and the late addition of Richie Springs rounded out this class. Gaffney is an uber-athletic guard who I believe is primed to have a breakout season, and Akok Akok looks bigger and hungrier than ever after returning from an Achilles tendon injury. Don’t sleep on Richie Springs either, Hurley has called him one of the best rebounders he’s ever coached, though minutes may be hard to come by in the Huskies loaded frontcourt.

In 2020, UConn put together yet another impressive recruiting class, effectively stealing two prized recruits right out from under UConn rivals Syracuse and Seton Hall. Andre Jackson was a perceived Syracuse lean and Adama Sanogo was all but committed to Seton Hall before both decided to join the Huskies.

Similar to Brendan Adams, Tyrese Martin moved from URI to join the Huskies and has been an integral part of their success. Look for him to be a team leader this season alongside RJ Cole. This class, of course, also included Javonte Brown who has since transferred to Texas A&M.

This collection of talent has put the Huskies in a position to compete atop the Big East as they attempt to dethrone Jay Wright and Villanova, who have owned the New Big East. UConn enters their second season in the league and fourth season of the Hurley era. The Huskies bring in one of their most talented freshman classes yet under, consisting of four, 4-star recruits.

Per 247, the 3-man class (not yet updated to include Corey Floyd Jr. who reclassified from 2022) comes in at 15th in the nation and 2nd in the Big East. So, what are the Huskies getting with each player?

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