Meet new Huskies recruit Corey Floyd Jr.
Dan Hurley got an early start on the UConn men’s basketball recruiting for 2022, landing Corey Floyd Jr. Thursday night.
If things stay on schedule, Floyd, a big, physical guard/wing in the Tyrese Martin mold, would arrive on campus in the summer of 2022, after Martin’s eligibility runs out, so the Huskies, stacking solid recruiting classes, will have a continuity of talent.
In fact, Floyd has played for Team Final in AAU ball, under coach James Johns, who also coached Martin.
As a sophomore at Roselle Catholic, Floyd averaged 11.1 points and 2.6 assists, leading his team to 22-7 record before the state tournament was halted due to the pandemic. New Jersey’s scholastics season is beginning an abbreviated high school basketball season on Dec. 26. Floyd will be the only returning starter, so he’ll be taking on a greater role in team leadership.
“He leads by example,” said Dave Boff, Roselle Catholic’s coach. “He’s starting this year to lead with his voice, which is great. The teachers love him, his classmates and teammates love him. He’s a very special young man.”
Here are some things to know about the newest Husky:
Basketball DNA
Floyd’s father, Corey Sr., played at Providence from 1990-91, facing Dan Hurley, who was playing for Seton Hall at the time.
“My father is real close with the Hurley family,” Floyd Jr. told NJ.com. “That stood out to us and
made us more comfortable with the decision.”
Tribute to his grandmother
Floyd lost his grandmother, Tamarra Littles-Snowden, who died on Dec. 14. She was a huge supporter of his basketball career, and he wanted to announce his decision on Jan. 14, which was also his 17th birthday. Floyd is switching to jersey No. 14 for Roselle Catholic this season.
What the analysts say
Floyd is a consensus four-star prospect, ranked just outside the top 100, just outside the top 20 at his position by analysts, but that is with two years of high school and a summer of AAU ball still in front of him.
Jerry Meyer of 247sports.com: “[Floyd is] a player who should be able to contribute immediately. He has the physical build and strength of a seasoned college player already. Floyd Jr. also has a solidity to his game with his well rounded skill set. He makes good decisions on the court and executes the common play uncommonly well.I like his shooting stroke, his ability to defend multiple positions and his functional athleticism off two feet in traffic.”
Adam Finkelstein: “… powerful & athletic guard (39.5” vertical), incredible length (6-9 wingspan), as mature with his approach as he is physically, vastly improved shooter.”
When decision came down
Floyd told Sports Illustrated, “Being from Jersey, coach [Hurley] has that dog in him and I’ve got that dog in me, so we connected immediately…. During Christmas, my family from California came down and I felt it was the right setting to announce to the staff that I was committing, so we got on a Zoom call. At first, they were about to do their pitches, but then I stopped them and told them I was coming. Coach Hurley and Coach Kimani (Young) jumped up and ran out of the screen.
“It was pretty cool to see them so excited.”
Reloading roster
Between now and the start of Floyd’s freshman season, the Huskies will a completely different team. James Bouknight figures to turn pro after this season, Martin, Brendan Adams, R.J. Cole will be finished with eligibility. Floyd, Andre Jackson, Adama Sanogo and Class of 21 recruits Rahsool Diggins, Jordan Hawkins and Samson Johnson could be the core of the 2022-23 team.
Next on the trail
Hurley has plenty of time to recruit players for 2022, but Floyd’s early decision could be a sign of things to come. With the pandemic prompting the NCAA to grant extra eligibility and rules changes allowing transfers to play right away, more recruits may be apt to make a decision early, when they have an offer in hand.