Hurley Closes Deal on Recruiting Trail
The Story: Dan Hurley capped off an incredible recruiting class by reeling in his final player of the class, 7-foot center Youssouf Singare from The Bronx via Mali.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Singare is the fifth and final player of UConn’s class this cycle. His commitment was preceded by those of Stephon Castle, Jayden Ross, Jaylin Stewart and Solomon Ball.
• There is a photo of UConn’s recruiting class from the official visits earlier this month that was a reenactment of a photo of the famed “Fab Five” from Michigan that included Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson. It was a prophetic photo as Hurley landed all five players, making it a top-five recruiting class.
• The Huskies have three players in the ESPN 100 in Castle, Ball and Stewart. The jewel of the class is Castle, who has continued to rise up the rankings and is a consensus top-25 player.
| Player | Rivals | 247 Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Stephon Castle, 6-foot-4, PG | 24 | 20 |
| Solomon Ball, 6-foot-2, PG/SG | 47 | 42 |
| Jaylin Stewart, 6-foot-7, SF | 59 | 79 |
| Jayden Ross, 6-foot-6, SG | 106 | 131 |
| Youssouf Singare, 7 feet, C | N/A | 120 |
WHO IS SINGARE? Singare is a 7-foot, 190-pound center who has a 9-foot-6 standing reach out of Our Savior Lutheran High and chose UConn over Seton Hall and Providence.
• From Mali, the same nation in Africa as Adama Sanogo, Singare is thin and will need to put on weight similar to what former UConn center Amida Brimah had to do over his career. Brimah ended up at 240 pounds and played professionally in the G League with brief stints in the NBA.
WHAT DID SINGARE SAY? “What I bring to the court is pure leadership and the way I protect the rim. I take pride in how I run the floor and feel I’m as fast as any guard, which allows me to get open dunks on fast breaks and guard pick-and-roll. I love defense as much as offense.”
IS HURLEY DONE? Yes, at least on high school side. UConn has 15 players potentially back for next season on scholarship, which is two over the maximum. That means there will be roster movement next season as Sanogo, Andre Jackson and Jordan Hawkins may turn professional, though none are surefire NBA picks, much less first-round selections. Of course, with the transfer portal and not having to sit out, players can transfer immediately and be eligible elsewhere.
Morning Reads
• We aren’t going to get too excited about this, but the Huskies set up a name, image and likeness (NIL) platform for athletes to make some cash while at UConn. (Hearst Connecticut Media)
• Jared Nelson was named the Big East Golfer of the Week. (UConnHuskies.com)
• Four games into the Jim Mora era, how does Dave Benedict think he is doing? (Hearst Connecticut Media)
• Zion Turner is confident that better days are ahead for the football team. (Hartford Courant)
Top photo: Gampel Pavilion prior to the season opener against CCSU on Nov. 25, 2020. (David Butler II/USA Today)
