The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
2020-21 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER
A closer look at this year’s Huskies:
0 Jalen Gaffney, Soph., G, 6-3: Took over starting PG role midway through last season and played well after slow start. Now fully healthy and ready to display his athleticism, will battle R.J. Cole for starting spot.
1 R.J. Cole, R-Jr., G, 6-1:
High-scoring PG sat out last season as transfer from Howard, where he averaged 21.4 points and was MEAC Player of Year as a soph, and 23.7 points as frosh. Playing at UConn is his “lifelong dream.”
2 James Bouknight, Soph., G, 6-5: Dynamic star averaged 17.3 ppg over final 12 games last season and is now on Naismith Player of the Year watch list and a legit potential All-American and NBA lottery pick.
4 Tyrese Martin, Jr., G, 6-6: URI transfer averaged 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds last year for the Rams. A hard-nosed, versatile player in the Dan Hurley mold, he’s a huge addition to the roster.
5 Isaiah Whaley, Sr., F, 6-9: Few players in the country showed more improvement over second half of last season than Whaley, whom Hurley has earmarked as a starter this season.
10 Brendan Adams, Jr., G, 6-4: Showed good improvement last season as a soph but still hasn’t shown the shooting prowess that Hurley swears he sees in practice.
11 Akok Akok, R-Soph., F, 6-9: Remains to be seen how effective this shot-swatting presence will be after a torn Achilles tendon ended his season in February.
12 Tyler Polley, Sr., F, 6-9:
Seems to be fully back from season-ending ACL tear in January. Huskies need him, because he’s their top 3point shooting threat (40.3 percent last season).
13 Richie Springs, R-Fr., F, 6-9: Sat out last season as academic redshirt, but has nose for the ball and should
add rebounding help this season.
20 Andrew Hurley, Fr., G, 6-1: Dan Hurley’s son starred at East Catholic and will be a walk-on for Huskies this season.
21 Adama Sanogo, Fr., F, 6-9: Back-to-the-basket, 240-pound big left hometown Seton Hall at altar to choose UConn in May, and could make big impact for Huskies as a true frosh.
25 Josh Carlton, Sr., F/C, 6-11: Struggled mightily last season but has been a starting-lineup stalwart for Huskies and has dropped some 25 pounds over offseason.
31 Javonte Brown, Fr., C, 7-0: Raw big man out of Toronto has skills but may have uphill climb earning minutes right off the bat.
41 Matt Garry, Jr., 6-5: Walk-on from Southington suffered season-ending knee injury during practice earlier in month.
44 Andre Jackson, Fr., 6-6: Dynamic athlete is a four-star recruit who doesn’t shoot it great but plays above the rim, is a magical passer and figures to have a big impact this season for Huskies.