Gilbert Playing With Confidence
Recovering Nicely From Shoulder Surgery
There is still a long way to go before Alterique Gilbert can suit up for UConn, and play enough games to show what kind of player he is.
But as the season gets closer, he is passing the first key test – playing without fear his left shoulder will pop out.
“From the first day you can see so much progress,” coach Dan Hurley said Saturday after the Huskies finished their hour-long autograph session, joining the women's basketball and men's hockey teams outside Rentschler Field before the UConn-Rhode Island football game. “From day one to four or five workouts in. First, you kind of dance around gingerly with the ball and now he's getting downhill and attacking the rim, a lot more confidence. … We've got to get him enough reps where he can knock the rust off but not many where we're exposing him too much.”
A lot of factors could help the Huskies improve from two sub-.500 seasons, including Hurley and the new staff and more experienced returning players. But a healthy Gilbert at point guard could be the biggest potential difference- maker of all. A McDonald's All-American, he has played only bits and pieces of nine games in two seasons, as his recurring shoulder dislocations have prompted three surgeries. This latest, more aggressive approach to stabilize the shoulder without loss of range of motion seems to have been effective.
“I think so,” Gibert said. “I'm excited for it. I can't wait. I'm blessed to still be able to play this game each and every day so I come out with the same attitude. … My confidence level definitely went up. The work I'm doing to prepare each day is helping me as well.”
Gilbert's work at strength and conditioning, in addition to his rehab, could develop a unique set of traits – the experience and strength of an upperclassman with the wideeyed enthusiasm of a freshman.
“Sometimes when you're a junior or senior, you become old and stale some days,” Hurley said, “'I've been there, done that, I've had hundreds of college practices.' But not Al – Al is like young and hungry right now, a lot of energy, talking, real grateful to be back out there and it has given us a lift overall.”
Reshaped Cobb
Eric Cobb, 6-foot-9, who arrived last season as a JuCo transfer and had a number of problems, including weight and conditioning, looks like a different player, 20-30 pounds lighter after a spring and summer working with director of human performance Sal Alosi.
“He's put the work in,” assistant coach Kenya Hunter said. “It's his determination this year to be good, and it starts with Eric doing what he needed to do to change his
body.”
Jalen Adams: True Grit?
Hurley likes what he is seeing from Jalen Adams, who has been issued a challenge for his senior year.
“My thing with Jalen,” Hurley said, “I'd like to just see that grit. He's got so much game, so much natural talent. If he adds grit and toughness, a tough-guy mind-set, it's going to change everything. Three things I've harped on with Jalen: leadership, grit, shooting.”
Gilbert said he sees Adams asserting his leadership more effectively. “I think he took [Hurley's challenge] personally,” Gilbert said.
Recruiting Trail
Hurley had a special interest in the football game, with his ties to Rhode Island. He and the coaches were also hosting recruit James Bouknight, a four-star shooting guard. Official visits are lined up throughout the month; Isaiah Wong was visiting last weekend when Andre Drummond was on campus working out with current players. Jalen Gaffney is expected next weekend. UConn coaches, of course, can't comment on specific recruits. “It's like a different season,” Hurley said. “Each recruit is like a different game, and it's a zero-sum game, you don't get anything for coming in second. We have needs we've got to address and we think we're involved with the right type of kids who can move the needle.” … Mamadou Diarra, who had surgery in July to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, is still in a brace, but said he is back “close to full speed.” He is still on pace for a late-December return. ...
Kassoum Yakwe, the fifthyear transfer from St. John's, could play a critical role in Hurley's defensive design with his ability to block shots. “That's why he was such a good fit for us,” Hurley said. “The way we aggressively guard ball screens, you need athletic guys because we're going to get beat off the dribble occasionally because of our ball pressure. You need people who can alter things at the rim.” Hurley and the staff are spending a lot of their allotted time working on defense, as UConn, which has played more zone in recent years, will get back to tough man-to-man. “Lot of teaching right now,” Hurley said, “on how you're going to guard all the different actions.”