The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Gaffney latest to commit to Huskies
Another athletic, 6foot-2 combo guard named Jalen is on his way to Storrs.
Jalen Gaffney became UConn’s second 2019 commit on Monday after pledging to the Huskies during his official visit to the school.
Gaffney, who plays at Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, chose UConn over Xavier, Clemson and St. John’s. He’s had home visits with all three schools, and was slated for officials with Xavier (Sept. 29), Clemson (Oct. 12) and St. John’s (Oct. 19). Those won’t be necessary now.
Gaffney, a four-star recruit, hails from Columbus, New Jersey. His Team Rio AAU coach, former Rutgers head coach Mike Rice, has said Gaffney boasts “Russell Westbrook-like athleticism.” However, he was somewhat overshadowed by fellow Team Rio teammates Bryan Antoine, who recently committed to Villanova, and Scottie Lewis, who is being heavily recruited by the likes of Duke and Florida.
Checking in at about 170 pounds, Gaffney could stand to put on some muscle. But if and when he does, he could be a contender to step into the role vacated by another Jalen — Jalen Adams, who will
graduate after this season.
UConn has made Gaffney a priority for a while now, and Dan Hurley and his
entire staff watched Gaffney at Westtown School this past week, just a few days prior to his visit. Those around the program believe he is talented enough to see minutes right away as a freshman.
Gaffney is the Huskies’ second 2019 commitment, and second in as many weeks. James Bouknight, a 6-5 shooting guard from the MacDuffie School in Granby, Massachusetts, pledged to UConn on Sept. 18, following an official visit to the school.
UConn still has at least three open scholarships for next season.