Huskies get tough big man as latest commit

6-10 Kisunas a native of Lithuania

UConn was looking for a big man with some toughness for its next Class of 2018 commitment. The Huskies got just that in Lukas Kisunas.

Kisunas, a 6-foot-10, 255-pound center from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, pledged to UConn on Monday morning.

“I really liked what Coach (Kevin) Ollie and the staff were building,” Kisunas told Hearst Connecticut Media by phone. “They have a history of winning, a winner’s mentality. I really enjoyed that. I related to what they want from me, and I’m pretty sure I can provide what they’re looking for.”

And what exactly are they looking for?

“Toughness, a winning attitude, being a leader and pushing my team when it needs it,” Kisunas said. “Working hard every day and growing as a player.”

Kisunas is a native of Lithuania who was the starting center on that country’s U16, U17 and U18 national teams. He’s beginning his second year at Brewster under head coach Jason Smith.

“He’ll bring a physical toughness,” Smith said. “He’s been extremely wellcoached at the national level. He will do all the dirty work. He’s very tough, physically. Character-wise, he’s tremendous. He’s off the chart academically.”

In fact, Smith added, several Ivy League schools were interested in recruiting him. Kisunas took just two official visits, visiting Storrs last Monday-Wednesday and taking a trip to the University of Illinois this past weekend. He also canceled a trip to Old Dominion and had a visit canceled by Purdue.

Many other schools, including Creighton, were hoping for Kisunas to visit.

Smith also pointed out that Kisunas is an “elitelevel screener. He uses his frame and size well, and his footwork is tremendous.”

That certainly would seem to be a boon in

UConn’s NBA-style, pickand-roll offense.

“We don’t go undefeated, don’t win the New England and national prep championships, without Lukas’s ability to screen, rebound and do a lot of things high school-aged kids aren’t willing to do,” Smith noted.

Kisunas is also the latest Brewster player to commit to UConn. Former Husky Jeff Adrien and current Huskies Jalen Adams and Sidney Wilson are also Brewster products.