New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Markkanen named most improved
afar, could form a strong, versatile starting unit on its own: Castle at point, Ball at the two, Stewart at the three, Ross at the four and the 7-foot Singare manning the middle.
Alas, it doesn’t typically work that way. Freshmen often take a while to find their way at the collegiate level, though Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban proved this past season that some players adjust quicker than others.
No doubt, especially if Jackson and Newton elect to go pro, some of these freshmen will play key roles next season. Others are probably more long-term projects.
Either way, one of the top recruiting classes UConn has ever assembled is only about a month away from descending upon campus for the first time since famously posing for their “Fab Five” photos back in September.
Here’s a look at the Huskies’ heralded recruits, with analysis from Adam Finkelstein, director of scouting for 247Sports.
Stephon Castle
McDonald’s AllAmerican is the most highly-ranked and highly-touted of UConn’s five incoming freshmen. Castle gave a nice preview of coming attractions at the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, Mass. a few months ago, darting the ball all over the floor with pinpoint passes and showing some impressive athleticism, if not necessarily pinpoint perimeter shooting.
“He’s a very unique player,” Finkelstein said. “He’s a big, powerful guard, but he really needs to become a more consistent shooter. That’s the Achilles’ heel of his game. But, he can really pass, really defend, he can operate like a big point guard. And he’s big enough where he can potentially be switchable defensively on the four different positions.” Sound familiar?
“There’s a little bit of Andre Jackson there. He’s not the same explosive-level athlete. But in terms of the big playmaking, the passing, the versatile defense, I think there’s some similarities there. I think he’s got a better scoring instinct.”
Castle scored 13 points in 13 minutes in the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 28 in Houston. If Newton elects to go pro, Castle could be vying for the starting point guard job next season. Either way, he’ll likely see plenty of playing time, both at the point and at the two.
Solomon Ball
No. 39, 6-3, 185 shooting guard: Finkelstein was high on Ball long before Ball started moving up the national rankings.
“I think he’s just hyper-competitive,” he said. “On top of that, he has really evolved athletically, over the course of the last 18 months.”
Two summers ago, as a rising junior, Ball wasn’t particularly explosive. He was known more for his skillset than his physical attributes. Since then, he’s sculpted his body and is now a true physical specimen.
“His body’s just taken off,” Finkelstein noted. “Now, he’s this long, athletic lefty who’s really competitive, totally dedicated to the game. There’s still some holes and certainly some polish that he needs to add, but there’s enough skill to keep developing.”
Players typically get better under Hurley, so the fact that Ball has already shown that capacity before arriving on campus bodes very well for the future.
“When you see that rate of improvement in high school, that’s usually something that carries over to the next level,” Finkelstein said. “His rate of improvement over the last year or two has been very steep. That’s something that historically proves to be indicative of things to come in the future.”
Jaylin Stewart
No. 69, 6-6, 210 small forward: Hurley hinted last week that a few players among his prized recruiting class may be a bit underrated. Without question, one of the players he was referring to was Stewart.
While sitting at No. 69 in 247’s composite rankings, he’s as low as No. 91 on ESPN’s top 100 list. There’s a reason for that.
Playing out in Seattle and rarely leaving the state for national events, Stewart hasn’t been seen a whole lot by many media and/or recruiting outlets. He certainly looked good at the Peach Jam last summer, but otherwise, analysts pretty much have to fly out to Seattle to watch a standalone game to see Stewart in action.
who has played in our tournament before, like Max, or a first-timer like Cameron, we want their experience with us to be world class. We feel the same way with our fans and volunteers. It promises to be a great week,”
That all changes soon. A skilled, versatile player with an old-school vibe whose body is a bit thick but is deceptively athletic, Stewart could be one of this class’s chief contenders for starter’s minutes next season. Especially if Jackson remains in the draft.
“I think Stewart is the player in the class that people aren’t necessarily talking about, that consequently may be the pleasant surprise,” Finkelstein said.
Conditioning and motor have always been the biggest question marks with Stewart.
“Allegedly, both are heading in the right direction,” Finkelstein added. “He’s gotten in a little bit better shape and is playing consistently hard. Hurley specialized in getting guys to play hard and really believe in themselves as players. I think that’s going to be a really good fit.”
Jayden Ross
No. 91, 6-7, 180 small forward: Like Ball, his former teammate at both St. James School in Maryland and on the Team Melo AAU squad, Ross has improved a lot and boasts a great motor. Like Stewart, he may be underrated.
“Jayden’s interesting,” said Finkelstein. “What his role is right away at UConn is going to be interesting. I think he’s going to be a guy that may require a little bit of patience. But, at the same time, I think he exceeded expectations this year at (Long Island Lutheran).”
Ross is a bouncy bundle of energy on the floor who espouses defense but boasts some offensive skills, as well. He was initially viewed as a building-block, multi-year guy by the staff, and that’s probably still the plan, but he may be farther along right now than many anticipated.
“He’s become a guy who’s kind of grown into his body and become more athletic. He’s progressed in terms of being a spot-up shooter. He just had a better year against high-level competition than most people were expecting.”
Youssouf Singare
No. 137, 7-0, 235 center: From Dikimbe Mutombo to Hasheem Thabeet to Amida Brimah, it’s become almost a cliché that big men from Africa are elite rim-protectors but raw offensively, at least initially.
Singare continues that trend, even if Sanogo, his (shorter) countryman from Mali, bucked the trend in reverse the past three seasons, excelling on offense while often a work-in-progress defensively.
“He’s going to have to get stronger,” Finkelstain said of Singare. “Everybody says that about every young kid, but it’s really true with him. He’s not contactaverse, he’s actually very competitive physically. I think his hands are going to be a work in progress, and depending on how those progress, I think that will dictate his role.”
Clingan was a perfect back-up to Sanogo this season, and Singare could fill a similar role as Clingan’s understudy next winter. However, he’s a very different player than Clingan. Singare gets up and down the floor very impressively, not unlike Akok Akok. He is more of a rim-runner offensively and a rim-protecter defensively, who’ll also have to adjust to guarding pick-and-rolls.
“There’s not going to be a lot of highlow, reverse pivot-seal, throw-it-overthe-top to get him into his jump hook,” Finkelstein predicted. “It’ll be a lot of ball-screen, run to the rim, lob-threat stuff instead.”
And what about 2024?
With the uncertainty surrounding Jackson and Newton affecting what UConn can get out of the transfer portal right now, Hurley and his staff are currently gearing their focus on 2024 recruits. With national championship in tow, coupled with what’s not considered a very strong local, New England market in this class, UConn appears to be broadening its scope nationwide — something the staff has been planning to do anyway and, to a certain extent, did for the 2023 class with Stewart and Castle (Georgia).
It’s also worth noting that more Class of 2024 players have committed early than any class in a long time … “maybe ever,” per Finkelstein.
That doesn’t mean the staff doesn’t love Tyler Betsey, the 6-8 shooter from Windsor who spent this past season at St. Thomas More in Oakdale. Betsey (No. 24 per 247Sports) is a high priority, though it appears the Huskies will be going head-to-head with Duke and other national powers for his services. And with Karaban and Stewart likely still on the roster the following season, small forward may not be a huge position of need for the Huskies.
said Travelers Championship tournament director Nathan Grube in the tournament release.
This makes nine of the top 16 golfers in the current world rankings committed to play in the Travelers Championship, a designated event with a $20 million purse. Those other top golfers are: Scottie Scheffler (No. 2),
Rory McIlroy (No. 3), Patrick Cantlay (No. 4), Xander Schauffele (No. 5 and the defending champion), Collin Morikawa (No. 13), Justin Thomas (No. 14) and Tony Finau (No. 16).
The Travelers Championship will be held June 22-25. Tickets are available at TravelersChampionship.com.
A recruit in the Finnish military is now the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz was announced Monday night as the winner of this season’s most improved award, as voted on by 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
The news came just past 2 a.m. Tuesday in Helsinki, where Markkanen is currently fulfilling the military service that is mandated for all Finnish men before they turn 30.
“Didn’t wake up at 2 a.m. for nothing,” Markkanen said on the TNT broadcast of the announcement. “It feels great. Obviously, it’s a huge privilege to be in this position.”
He began his enlistment in his home country earlier this month — even getting rid of his longish curly hair for the shavedhead look of a soldier. He spent a few days in Finland with family after the Jazz season ended, then started his military commitment.
“Days are pretty long,”
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our dogs,” Sparer said — Nana may have been more popular than Clingan and definitely got more belly rubs.
“We have two of them, and it’s thanks to our relationship with Dunkin’ and the Dunkin’ foundation that’s giving us the money that it takes to support these dogs. They live here at the hospital. They’re cared for by members of our staff.”
Sparer said there are several other hospital initiatives funded by the grants.
“We have music and art therapy programs, anything from sitting with a child to help make a song,” Sparer said, “or help make a piece of art, or even for our littlest babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, to have music is very soothing. It’s very therapeutic. And it’s therapeutic to the parents
Markkanen said of his military duties. “We wake up early and go for probably 10, 12 hours straight. It’s been fun, getting to know a lot of new guys, making some new friends and knowing you have to go through it together. It’s actually been pretty good.”
Markkanen beat out fellow finalists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and Jalen Brunson of New York for the award. Markkanen got 69 of the 100 firstplace votes and appeared on every ballot; GilgeousAlexander got 24 firstplace votes and was second, Brunson got four first-place votes and was third.
Source: Rockets hire ex-Celtics coach Udoka as new coach
HOUSTON — Ime Udoka has been hired as the new coach of the Houston Rockets, a source familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.
Udoka led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, then was suspended for this season after the as well.”
Before heading down the hall to see some patients in their rooms, Clingan paused at the Pop-a-Shot game where Matthew La Rose of New Haven had been shooting just about the whole time he’d been there. La Rose,
Chase Siegel, Staples: The senior threw a perfect game in a 10-0 win over Danbury, striking out four.
Deron Koppel, Norwalk: The senior pitcher improved his WHIP to 0.984, striking out eight and giving up just three hits over six innings in a 4-0 over Greenwich.
Nico Falcioni, North Branford: Falcioni had five RBIs, going 5-for-6 with three walks in two games against Coginchaug and Old Lyme.
Liam Gordon, Haddam-Killingworth: Gordon struck out 14 in a 4-2 win over Coginchaug, moving H-K to 8-0.
Nick Kelley, Newington: Kelley was 3for-4 with a home run and four runs scored in a 6-1 win over Windsor.
Noah Snyder, Berlin: In a 3-1 win over Southington, Snyder tossed a two-hitter, giving up just one first-inning run.
Ethan Chavez, St. Bernard: Chavez struck out 10 batters, tossing a one-hitter in a 10-0 win over Stafford.
Troy Piascik, Hand: Piascik was with a three-run home run Hand defeated No. 1 Xavier.
Andrew Cutler, Fairfield Prep: Cutler pitched 5.2 innings, striking out 12 and getting the win as Prep defeated No. 1 Xavier 3-0.
Thomas Conley, Immaculate: The junior struck out 12 in a complete-game 3-0 victory over Bunnell.
Kai Nee, Staples: The sophomore came on in relief, pitching 2.2 innings and striking out six to secure a 4-2 win over Greenwich.
Vasilios Kelesidis, Stamford: Kelesidis threw a complete game with 11 strikeouts in Stamford’s 1-0 win over Wilton. He now has three shutouts and has struck out 43 in 26 innings pitched.
Michael Belcher, Woodland: Belcher moved to 4-0 and picked up his 200th career strikeout, beating Seymour 5-4 in a complete game with 16 strikeouts.
Callen Powers, Haddam-Killingworth: 3for-4 as disclosure of an inappropriate relationship with a female Celtics employee.
The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team had not officially announced the move.
He replaces Stephen Silas, who was fired after three seasons.
The Rockets had the worst record in the previous two seasons and finished tied with the Spurs for the second-worst record this season, earning another lottery pick in this year’s draft.
The 45-year-old Udoka led the Celtics to a 51-31 record in his one season in Boston. The Celtics finished the regular season on a 26-6 run and beat Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Miami in the playoffs before falling to Golden State in six games in the NBA Finals.
Udoka wasn’t drafted and played professionally in Europe ahead of a seven-year NBA career that included short stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Knicks and Trail Blazers before he spent three of his last four years with the Spurs. in a Steph Curry jersey, stood next to Clingan as each heaved up a few shots. Clingan’s first two swished through the hoop.
Do you have one of these in your dorm room, someone asked? “I need one,” he answered.
The senior struck out 11 and gave up no earned runs in six innings in a 9-5 win over Old Lyme. He also hit a home run.
Ryan Oshinskie, Fairfield Prep: Oshinskie tossed a complete game shutout, striking out 12 in a 9-0 win over Shelton.
Ian Nilsen, Barlow: Nilsen threw a complete game, striking out 10 as Barlow beat Stratford 5-1.
Frank Boutot, Southington: The senior was 4-for-4 with a home run and two doubles in Southington’s win over Farmington.
Sean Francoeur, Trumbull: Francoeur picked up the 1-0 win over Ludlowe, striking out 12. Last week against Darien, he struck out 10 and allowed just one hit in a win over Darien.
No. 7 Windsor at Rocky Hill, Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.: Rocky Hill is one of two unbeaten teams (along with Bristol Central) left in the CCC and has already beaten ranked Newington. If they can win this one, expect them to join the Top 10 next week.
Guilford at East Lyme, Wednesday, 4 p.m.: East Lyme (8-1) gets its biggest test of the season when Guilford (8-3) from the SCC comes to town for a very interesting cross-conference game.
No. 6 Notre Dame-West Haven at Fairfield Prep, Thursday, 4 p.m.: The rivals, and two hottest teams in the SCC (Prep has won five-of-six and NDWH has won seven-straight), meet up for the first of two this season.
No. 8 Woodland at Holy Cross, Friday, 6 p.m.: The top spot in the NVL standings is on the line. Cross (10-1) has not lost in conference and Woodland (10-1) has dropped just one to Seymour.
No. 1 Staples at No. 2 Warde, Monday, 4 p.m.: The first game between these two was a classic with Staples walking off with a win over then No. 1 Warde. Now it is the Wreckers in the top spot.