A talk with Jim Salmon, who coaches UConn target Isaiah Briscoe -- and used to coach Kevin Freeman

As part of a story we did this week on UConn's prime recruiting targets, we spoke with Jim Salmon, who coaches Husky target Isaiah Briscoe on the New Jersey Playaz AAU team -- and also happened to coach UConn director of basketball administration Kevin Freeman at Paterson Catholic back in the day.

Here's what Salmon had to say about Briscoe:

"He’s fearless, he’s two plays ahead on the floor. He’d rather give an assist or a Gretzky – the pass before the assist – rather than scoring. This year, he’s put the team on his back. He’s led us all season. He passed out uniforms, collects them after game, washes them, wakes his teammates up in the hotel room. He’s like an assistant coach for us ... He's an ideal teammate."

Briscoe put out a list recently of his final seven schools: UConn, Arizona, Louisville, St. John's, Seton Hall, Rutgers and Villanova. However, he's not likely to start seriously considering anyone until August, at the earliest. He's already an academic qualifier, according to Salmon.

"All the teams have a shot," Salmon said. "He's got a different relationship with at least one person on the staff of all the schools. I'm sure (his dad) is taking the calls right now, but I don't think he's there. He's really tuned in and trying to win." 

As for UConn?

"Kevin Freeman used to play for me," Salmon noted. "I'd be delighted if he went to UConn."