Sunday, July 21, 2013

A Look at 10 of UConn's Most Coveted Recruits

Kevin Ollie & Co. are currently in the midst of their firstJuly recruiting period with Ollie as head coach. 

For the first time in a while, UConn has four guys out on the road recruiting – Ollie, Glen Miller, Karl Hobbs and Ricky Moore. Teams are only allowed three people out recruiting per day, but staffs can rotate so that one guy is on the road but not recruiting on a given day while the other three are at events.

The July recruiting period has been a bit different this year, with five days on then two off over a three-week span. Coaches could recruit from July 10-14, July 17-21 and, now, July 24-28. UConn has been well-represented at events like the NIKE Global Challenge in Washington, D.C., and the Peach Jam down in South Carolina.

The Huskies have famously been in on seemingly dozens and dozens of Class of 2014 recruits, but obviously have more interest in some than others. With so many questions and possibilities of graduations and defections to the NBA after this season, UConn isn’t so much focusing on specific positions but, rather, high-level, high-character kids.

And with a bountiful Class of 2015 harvest (particularly at point guard) looming in the not-too-distant future, the Huskies aren’t overly concerned with filling all 13 scholarships for the 2014-15 season. They’re more concerned about bringing in quality players who fill needs – preferably versatile players like Daniel Hamilton, an NBA-talent who can play all three guard positions, and Rodney Purvis, who can also play the 1, 2 or even 3. Hamilton has already committed to the Huskies, and Purvis has transferred from NC State but won’t be eligible to play until ’14-15.

Here’s an incomplete list of 10 recruits, in no particular order, whom UConn has prioritized:

Pascal Chukwu, 7-foot-2 center, Fairfield Prep -- Very high on the Huskies' wish list. The Nigerian native and his host family have been extremely close to the vest about his recruitment. However, he recently noted that UConn, Providence and St. John's are three of the schools that have shown the most interest in him. Chukwu has made several unofficials to UConn. The thought is he'll stay close to home.

Kelly Oubre, 6-6 small forward, Findlay Prep -- High-scoring, strong-shooting 3-man has stated that "UConn is coming at me the hardest." 

Abdul Malik-Abu, 6-7 power forward, Kimball Union --- One of the Class of 2014's top big men; a strong, 235-pound specimen who's a very impressive rebounder.

Goodluck Okonoboh, 6-9 forward, Wilbraham & Monson --- Scout.com rates him as the best shot-blocker in his class.

Leron Black, 6-7 power forward, Memphis, TN --- Baylor decommit has said UConn, Florida, Illinois, NC State and Ohio State have been coming at him the hardest.

Josh Perkins, 6-3 point guard, Huntington Prep --- UConn's most coveted Class of 2014 point guard has said he'll announce his decision on Aug. 25 -- but not before a visit to Storrs.

Kameron Chatman, 6-7 small forward, Long Beach, CA --- An AAU teammate of Daniel Hamilton.

Devin Robinson, 6-8 power forward, Christchurch, VA. --- It appears UConn and Indiana hold the edge in his recruitment.

Terry Larrier, 6-7 small forward, Malvern, PA --- In the process of moving out to the wing full-time.

Bonzie Colson, Jr., 6-5 power forward, St. Andrew's -- UConn is definitely intrigued by son of former URI player, who made an unofficial to Storrs last month, but there's concern about his height (which is closer to 6-4). He has not been offered a scholarship yet.

Other recent recruits like Jared Terrell and Ahmed Hill aren't happening.

*** In other news: A night after Kemba Walker and A.J. Price teamed up on Kemba's All-Stars (along with UConn incoming frosh Amida Brimah) for an exciting night of GHPA action on Saturday, Price was at it again for the All-Stars on Sunday. Price had 33 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 95-86 loss to PPF Graphics. Recent UConn alum R.J. Evans added 22 points and seven boards in the losing cause.

On Monday, Harte Nissan takes on Fairview Capital at 6:30 p.m., followed by Hot 937 All-Stars facing PPF Graphics at 8:15 p.m.







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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Inside Look at Tilton School

Here's an inside look at the Tilton School, including current UConn targets like Nerlens Noel, Wayne Selden and Goodluck Okonoboh (Alex Oriakhi's cousin).

Tilton, of course, also produced Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, among others. Figured UConn fans might enjoy this.

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Friday, November 4, 2011

Top Prep Recruits in New Haven Nov. 18-20

The National Prep Showcase, the unofficial kick-off to the prep school season, will be held at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven on Nov. 18-20, and many of the top recruits in the nation (including several UConn targets) will be there.

Among the UConn targets who will be in attendence are: Nerlens Noel, a 6-foot-10 Class of 2013 center out of the Tilton School in New Hampshire; Noah Vonleh, 6-8 Class of 2014 forward out of New Hampton School (N.H.); Goodluck Okonoboh, a 6-8 Class of '14 forward (who is also Alex Oriakhi's cousin); Wayne Selden, a 6-5 Class of '14 shooting guard from Tilton; and Jeremy Miller, a 6-9 Class of '15 center from New Hampton.


For those who'd like to see Tilton play, its only game will be on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. against Kiski School of Pennsylvania. (Yes, UConn does host Coppin State at 1 p.m. at the XL Center that day).

New Hampton plays Kiski on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m., then takes on Blair Academy on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Here's the full schedule for the three-day event.

In all, nearly 100 of the top Division 1 prospects will be playing, including:

Mitch McGary, 6'9", C/F, 2012, Brewster Academy (NH), committed to Michigan, 2nd ranked prospect in national class of 2012

Ricardo Ledo, 6'6", SG, 2012, South Kent (CT), committed to Providence, 22nd ranked prospect in national class of 2012

T.J. Warren, 6'8", F, 2012, Brewster Academy (NH), committed to North Carolina State, 23rd ranked prospect in national class of 2012


Chris Thomas, 6'5", G, 2013, South Kent (CT), 13th ranked prospect in national class of 2013


Mike Tobey, 7'0", C, 2012, Blair Academy (NJ), top 100 national player, committed to Virginia

Aaron Thomas, 6'5", G/F, 2012, Brewster Academy (NH), committed to Florida State

Jakarr Sampson, 6'8", F, 2012, Brewster Academy (NH), top 100 national player

Darrick Wood, 6'5", SF, 2012, Bridgton Academy (ME), committed to St. John's

Amir Garrett, 6'7", F, 2012, Bridgton Academy (ME), top 100 national player, committed to St. John's

Ryan Taylor, 6'7", SF, 2012, Hargrave Military Academy (VA), committed to Louisville

Montrezl Harrell, 6'8", F, 2012, Hargrave Military Academy (VA), committed to Virginia Tech

Codi Miller-McIntyre, 6'3", SG, 2012, Hargrave Military Academy (VA), committed to Wake Forest

Andre Washington, 7'0", C, 2012, Hargrave Military Academy (VA), committed to Wake Forest

Hanner Perea, 6'9", PF, 2012, La Lumiere School (IN), top 100 national prospect, committed to Indiana

Jay Simpson, 6'10", C, 2012, La Lumiere School (IN), committed to Purdue

Raphael Davis, 6'5", G/F, 2012, La Lumiere School (IN), committed to Purdue

Georges Niang, 6'8", F, 2012, Tilton School (NH), top 100 national prospect, committed to Iowa State

Domonique Bull, 6'4", G, 2012, Tilton School (NH), committed to Missouri

Laimonas Chatkevicius, 7'0, C, 2012, South Kent (CT), committed to Kansas State

Olivier Hanlan, 6'3", PG, 2012, New Hampton (NH), committed to Boston College

Zach Auguste, 6'9", PF, 2012, New Hampton (NH), committed to Notre Dame, top 100 national prospect

Aaron Ross, 6'8", F, 2012, St. John's Military Academy (WI), top 100 national prospect

Dominic Woodson, 6'10", C, 2013, Vermont Academy (VT), top 100 national prospect

Daquien McNeil, 6'3", G, 2013, Vermont Academy (VT), top 100 national prospect

Jared Terrell, 6'3", G, 2014, New Hampton (NH), top 100 national prospect

Kevin Kcehowski, 6'11", C, 2015, Kiski (PA), top 25 national prospect

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