Adams staying at UConn is Hurley’s most important recruit

This is a relationship that began the day he was introduced as the 19th basketball coach in UConn history.

“Jalen Adams and I have had more meetings than we can count since I took over,” Dan Hurley said.

Hurley ultimately will be judged by the success of the players he recruits to Storrs, how he molds his program in the great task to bring glory back to UConn basketball.

Still, the entrance ramp to that long road is full of pot holes that can derail the mission. Program transition can be messy. As he stood there March 23 inside Werth Family Center, delivering his message to the basketball world that this is the place he always hoped to coach, Hurley knew his biggest recruit for next season was standing 75 feet to his right.

Thirty days later, Jalen Adams had a message of his own. At 4 p.m. Sunday, the deadline for early entry to the 2018 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-3 guard tweeted a 104-second YouTube video entitled “Dear UConn Nation.” Music, highlights, it would end this way:

“I am returning to UConn Nation for my senior year. I am excited to work with coach Hurley and lead us into a new era of UConn basketball. I am fully committed to my career and education. Another year of development and growth will prepare me for my ultimate goal: an NBA career.”

It was huge moment for UConn fans. Hurley said he knew a video was coming. What did he think of the 21st century dramatics of announcing that you’re staying?

“I lean a little old school on that,” Hurley said, breaking into a laugh. “I did really like his message. We talked Friday about messaging. I think Jalen gets it. He understands the image he wants to project and how important it is in his life. He’s a sharp kid. I think he was aware of every word.

“I met him the day of the press conference. I’ve watched him since grassroots, prep school and AAU, watched him at UConn. As a basketball junkie, I always held his

game and talent in high regard. We’ve tried to develop a relationship quickly here so we can have real conversations where his career is at, where he’d like to go with it, his legacy at UConn.”

Without Adams, it’s hard to imagine UConn going anywhere next season. With Adams, the Huskies can make some noise in the American Athletic Conference. If together, the new coach and his star guard can find a way to squeeze into the NCAA Tournament, Adams will have a special place in the hearts of UConn fans.

“Although the journey has not always been what I envisioned, I am reminded of greatness every day I come to the gym, I see those four national championship banners,” Adams said in the video. “My legacy as a UConn Husky is important to me. I am more determined than ever to live up to that expectation …”

“With where we are at as a program, coming off the last two years, it would have been really easy for him to enter the draft, sign with an agent, or at the minimum put his name in,” Hurley said. “He made a really mature, smart self-aware decision, which in my mind is a great foundation for him. I think Jalen has a lot of confidence, too, that he’s going to make himself look smart at the end of the year.”

A winning season will mean more than Adams finishing in the top halfdozen in scoring and assists in school history. After UConn’s first consecutive losing seasons in three decades, his legacy will be that of the guy who showed everyone that the great book of UConn basketball is not closed.

“There have been tons of office meetings, on-court workouts, weight-lifting sessions, text-exchange,” Hurley said. “So obviously I had an inkling for a while where this was headed.

“Jalen would like to write a great last chapter as UConn and believes wholeheartedly he is an NBA draft pick if he is at his best. He and I have made a commitment we’re going to try to get him to his absolute best.”

Kevin Ollie had a weird relationship with a weirdly constructed roster last season. His guards seemed entitled. His bigs, rotated wildly, could have used therapy. Adams averaged 38.1 minutes and 18.1 points. There were nights when his performance was uneven, trying something Herculean in the second half to the point of exhaustion.

“If you want to play in the NBA, unless you are just an extraterrestrial athlete, a complete, total commitment is important,” Hurley said. “For me, whether it’s nutrition, or a 40-plus percent 3-point shooter (he was 32.4 percent last season), there are things Jalen can do to put himself in a draftable position.

“He has the game. He has got the talent. I think he understands if he gets himself to 100 percent capacity, gets himself in the best shape of his life, locks in as a leader, works on his perimeter shooting, he has a chance to be player of the year in our conference.”

Meanwhile in Delusionville, after Christian Vital on Friday declared himself eligible for the draft, but did not hire an agent, he posted an Instagram, saying, “UConn, thank you for all of the opportunities you have given me on and off the court! I have come to peace with the decision that I will enter the 2018 NBA Draft.”

Vital’s message seemed mixed. Hurley’s message was measured.

“We had a couple of conversations,” Hurley said. “At this point, I support him in his decision to get some feedback and go through the process, as long as he is fulfilling his duties as a student-athlete.”

There is zero chance Vital is getting drafted in June. Unless he’s needed as a last-second replacement, it’s hard to imagine NBA teams would invite Vital to a workout. The only real defense for his decision is everybody else seems to be doing it.

My take? The most important feedback he’ll get will be the sound of crickets from NBA teams and, in this case, perusing social media to see some harsh criticism. The forced 3-point shots, the threesign celebrations when your team is down 15, this is a guy who needs more self-awareness. This process is going to give him an indication where he stands in the basketball world. He could stand a little humbling. He figures to get it.

Vital could go overseas or try the G-League. He could transfer immediately, or at mid-season or do any of that after next season. Jere Quinn, who coached Vital at St. Thomas More, told our Dave Borges he believes Vital will return to UConn. Other sources say the same.

With Alterique Gilbert hurt, Ollie played Vital 31.7 minutes. He averaged 14.9 points, but shot only 38.3 percent. If Gilbert is able to stay healthy, Vital will have to compete with grad transfer Tarin Smith, tough, athletic, who’ll attack the lane and guard at the other end. Incoming freshman Brendan Adams is a 6-4, talented, combination guard who will continue to develop.

Could Vital’s ego handle a reduced role?

We’ll keep our eye out for a video.