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.”
Here are a few comments head coach Randy Edsall made after Tyvon Branch was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the first pick of the fourth round (100th overall)
“It’s great for Tyvon and great for our program. It’s also exciting to see the Raiders trade up to draft him because it shows that they really want Tyvon. It’s is exciting to see him selected by a franchise with such a great history and tradition and I’m sure he’ll do well with the Raiders.
“Tyvon is a young man who had one Division I-A offer coming out of high school and he is a great example of the good things that can happen if you work hard and take advantage of your opportunity. He has shown that hard work can pay off.
“To graduate in three and a half years and get drafted is a great testament to Tyvon. He has had a fulfilling career here at UConn with a BIG EAST Championship and two bowl games. I couldn’t be happier for him. The Raiders are getting a young man of very high caliber in Tyvon.”
Although it came two round later than most expected, UConn cornerback/kick returner Tyvon Branch was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the first pick in the fourth round (100 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Branch’s selection is the second highest for a UConn player in the modern era of the draft. Alfred Fincher holds the mark after being taken with pick No. 82 in the third round of the 2005 draft.
The Raiders, who hadn’t selected a player since taking running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 pick in the draft, traded with the Dallas Cowboys to move up to the top of the round to select the Huskies defensive back.
Branch joins a crowded Oakland defensive backfield that just traded for Pro Bowl corner DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons and already boasts three former first- or second-round picks, including the recently franchised Nnamdi Asomugha.
But the Raiders also traded away cornerback Fabian Washington, their first-round selection in the 2005 (No. 27 overall), to the Baltimore Ravens minutes after selecting Branch. This could open up some playing time for Branch on defense.
Regardless, he should inherit the second kick returner role next to Chris Carr immediately. Carr had a decent season returning kicks last year, accumulating 1,327 return yards, but the fellow defensive back did not record a touchdown and had 400 fewer yards on returns than he’d posted the past two years.
The ESPN crew also highlighted Branch after the selection, and draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. spent a good two minutes praising the pick and Randy Edsall for the progress he’s made with the program.
11:05 a.m.
No Branch siting yet, but the UConn corner has moved into Mel Kiper’s “Best Available Players.” He currently sits at No. 12.
10:15 a.m.
The second and final day of the draft is underway, and it is really early. The 3 p.m. start was nice yesterday, because I got to sleep in a bit, but I’m not really excited about waking up this morning. At least I have the dulcet tones of Trey Wingo joining the announcing crew. Also in the mix are Jaws and Chris Carter.
No running commentary today, as it’s way too early and there’s a chance I may fall asleep. But I’m eagerly awaiting the selection of Tyvon Branch — it could happen any minute now — and then the rest of the Huskies. Almost 10 picks have already gone off the board, and with players like Donnie Avery going at the top of the second round, Larry Taylor could be selected soon.
Stay tuned.
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