Just a day after Hasheem Thabeet announced he was staying for his junior season, the good news keeps on coming for the men’s basketball team.
Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10 power forward from Sudan by way of Australia, gave an oral commitment to attend UConn next semester.
Majok, who was recently moved up to the No. 13 player overall in the class of 2008 by Rivals.com, was the main focus of the Huskies’ recruiting efforts this spring. After gaining notoriety playing in summer camps, Majok started to be recruited by the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville and lately UCLA.
The Huskies now have a total of five commitments for next year, including fellow five-star prospect Kemba Walker, 7-foot-1 junior college player Chukuma Okwandu, and shooting guards Nate Miles and Scottie Haralson. Miles, who attempted to enroll in UConn months ago, committed almost two years ago, but his college career is in doubt after difficulties involving passing the NCAA clearinghouse.
With Thabeet’s return, the Huskies only have four open scholarships. Unless another transfer occurs, decisions may need to be made as to who will be granted scholarships.
For those too lazy to read the home page:
Hasheem Thabeet is staying in Storrs.
The 7-foot-3 sophomore has decided to not to declare for the NBA Draft and will return for his junior season at UConn.
“I am excited about the opportunity to stay at UConn and continue the mission that we started this season,” Thabeet said. “I also want to thank my family and close friends for all of their help and support. As a team, we took a step in the right direction this year, but I look forward to us working together to win a Big East championship and making a run at a national championship. I really enjoy being here, getting a great education and spending time with my friends and teammates.”
The reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Thabeet started all but one game for the Huskies, averaging 10. 5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.5 blocks a game.
“We are happy that Hasheem has made the decision to return for his junior season,” said head coach Jim Calhoun. “Hasheem has made as much progress as any player I have coached in my 36 years and if he continues that incredible progress, he will help us take the next step as a team and help himself become one of the best players in college basketball.”
Just got word from men’s basketball SID Kyle Muncy, and it looks like Hasheem Thabeet won’t be making his decision tonight. With Spring Weekend officially kicking off tonight, I didn’t think he would be to begin with.
The deadline to declare is rapidly approaching, and the feeling around campus is that Thabeet will be staying another year. Obviously, that is just a gut reaction and it could be 100 percent wrong, but I would put money on the deadline passing without the big sophomore on the list of declared prospects.
I’ll be sure to post again when I catch word of any new developments.
(Also, for those who frequent the blog, it appears if I can’t bold on MACs. Damn.)
Sophomore Curtis Kelly intends to transfer after this semester, head coach Jim Calhoun announced Tuesday. Here’s a look at the press release sent over form UConn Athletics. Expect an article in tomorrow’s sports section and updates on the situation later.
University of Connecticut sophomore Curtis Kelly has asked for permission to speak to other schools and will be transferring from the University, it was announced by Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun Tuesday afternoon.
Kelly will complete the spring academic semester at UConn.
“Curtis and I met over the last several weeks and, although he loves the program, he would like more playing time,” said Calhoun. “He and I both agree that he may have more opportunity for that playing time in another program. We wish Curtis the best of luck and success at wherever he decides to continue his college career.”
“I love being here at UConn and have enjoyed my time over the past two years,” said Kelly. “That was the toughest thing about this decision. But after talking with my family and with Coach Calhoun, I feel I will have a better opportunity and get more out of my college experience if I go somewhere else. I respect Coach Calhoun and will miss my teammates and the many friends I have here at UConn.
“I know that the guys here will have a great chance to do some special things next year, but I needed to be true to what will make me happy. I have learned a lot from Coach Calhoun and I know that everything I have experienced the past two seasons will help me in the future.”
Kelly appeared in 24 games in 2007-08 as a sophomore, averaging 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds. He missed the final six games of the season after suffering a dislocated left elbow on February 23 in a game at Villanova.
Kelly played in 51 games in his two seasons at Connecticut, starting one, and averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
While the U.S. Basketball Writers Association feels A.J. Price is an All-American, the Associated Press apparently feels otherwise.
The AP released its annual list of All-American selections Monday and the UConn point guard was not amongst the 15 players that comprised the three teams.
After averaging 14.5 points and 5.82 assists per game and leading the Huskies to seven more wins than a year ago and a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Price was named a member All-American Second Team and the District I Player of the Year by the USBWA less than two weeks ago.
The neglect from the AP voters adds to an already disappointing season’s end for Price. The junior, who missed his first two seasons at UConn, underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn ACL suffered in the Huskies’ 70-69 loss to San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The procedure was deemed a success by UConn officials and the projected recovery time is said to be around four to six months.
No seniors were selected to the first team, marking the first time since the AP began choosing players after the 1947-48 season.
First Team
Tyler Hansbrough*, North Carolina
Michael Beasley*, Kansas State
Kevin Love, UCLA
D.J. Augustin, Texas
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
Second Team
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Shan Foster, Vanderbilt
D.J. White, Indiana
Roy Hibbert, Georgetown
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Third Team
Chris Lofton, Tennessee
Darren Collison, UCLA
Brook Lopez, Stanford
Derrick Rose, Memphis
Eric Gordon, Indiana
* = unanimous selection
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