Looking at UConn, I think Clingan and Jackson are the two that should be most inclined to go (after obviously Hawkins). Both have appealing upside and haven't been overly exposed yet in terms of their negatives. Right now, Clingan can ride the "next Walker Kessler" train to the draft but if he stays too long he could be the "next Zach Edey" that is never getting picked no matter his collegiate production. Jackson has all the tools and if he can convince a team they can fix his shot has a decent chance of getting called. But if he stays and the shot doesn't start to improve, he could get written off as one of those guys that is borderline but not quite worthy (like Justin ended up, though for different reasons).
Run it back? A look at what the UConn men's basketball team's roster could look like next seasonDavid Borges
April 5, 2023
https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/huskies-dan-hurley-adama-sanogo-jordan-hawkins-17878666.phpHOUSTON — It didn't take long for the question to pop up in the victorious UConn men's basketball team's locker room on Monday night.
Will the Huskies run it back?
Obviously, a lot remains to be seen in the coming weeks, even months. Some players will leave the program, either via graduation, going pro or, possibly, the transfer portal. Several new faces will join the roster, including the No. 4-rated 2023 recruiting class in the country.
But the core of this championship team will likely stay intact as the Huskies embark on a journey to become the first repeat national champion since Florida in 2007. That Gator team, led by Joakim Noah, expressly announced its desire to repeat its 2006 title win over UCLA and made good on it. Similarly, the 2009 North Carolina team, which had gone 36-3 but lost to Kansas in the Final Four the prior season, made it a point to have most of its key players come back and delivered a title.
So, will these Huskies be motivated to do the same? In this day and age of Name, Image and Likeness compensation, it's not out of the realm. Staying in school for another year to reap NIL benefits could be more lucrative than turning pro and playing in the G-League, or even in Europe.
First, let's look at who'll be leaving. Joey Calcaterra, "Joey California" himself, is out of eligibility and off into the real world. He may look into playing in Italy or Greece.
Jordan Hawkins is a likely NBA first-round draft pick, maybe even a lottery pick, as Dan Hurley suggested on Monday night. If that's the case, he's almost certainly gone, just like James Bouknight two years earlier.
Everywhere else, there are question marks. Adama Sanogo may be the biggest one. The NCAA tourney's Most Outstanding Player dominated in March, and most of the season, but the NBA doesn't value 6-foot-9 centers. He has developed a perimeter shooting game (35.8 percent from 3), however, and may have boosted his stock with his tourney run.
Asked about his future on Monday night, Sanogo was non-committal.
"I'll talk to my coaches, my family, and go from there," he said.
Andre Jackson Jr. is a unique player with the athleticism and defensive prowess to find an NBA niche. He's on scouts' radars, but may not bring enough offense to the table. Will he be back at UConn next season?
"I hope so. I want to come back," he said. "If Coach tells me to leave, I'll leave. But I want to come back."
So, Jackson will be back.
Seniors Tristen Newton and Nahiem Alleyne and little-used junior Richie Springs all joined Calcaterra in Senior Day festivities in February, but all three still have a year of eligibility left. Newton, an NCAA all-tournament selection, could return as the Huskies' starting point guard. UConn has McDonald's All-American point guard Stephon Castle coming in next season, but handing the point guard reins to a freshman, even one as talented as Castle, can be risky.
Alleyne, who really turned it up in March, would seem to be a good candidate to return. Springs appears to have played his last game in a UConn uniform. Junior Hassan Diarra, this year's back-up point guard whose playing time dwindled in March, has some decisions to make.
There's the Samson Johnson quandary. Johnson is a much-heralded, 6-10 forward whose sophomore season was derailed by an early-season foot injury. Hurley has publicly pleaded for Johnson to "be patient." It remains to be seen what he'll do.
Then there are the fab freshmen, Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban. Clingan, the 7-footer from Bristol, could possibly be an NBA first-round pick in June if he declared. It's unlikely he'll do so, however, if you heard him talking Monday night.
Clingan spoke of how Emeka Okafor and Ray Allen were telling him after the game to "live in the gym this summer, and I'll be able to take over this program one day. It's nice to hear that from such great people who left their marks on UConn history. It means a lot to have support from them."
Clingan will likely test the NBA Draft waters. Will he return for his sophomore season?
"Yes sir. We've got a great group of guys coming in. It should be fun."
Karaban has already started that campaign.
"Hell yeah, I'm talking to D.C., maybe we can pull off some Breanna Stewart 4-for-4 (national titles)," Karaban quipped, referring to Clingan. "That's gonna be damn near impossible, but you've got to dream big in this program."
Indeed, it's a virtual certainty that Clingan won't be around for all four years. Karaban may not, either, though he's certain to return for at least another year or two.
Then there's the "Fab Five" recruiting class of Castle, 6-7 forward Jaylin Stewart, 6-4 guard Solo Ball, 6-7 forward Jayden Ross and 7-foot center Youssouf Singare. Castle appears to be first in line for playing time, though some of that hinges on whether Newton returns. Stewart should be a strong candidate for minutes, as well as Ball. Ross is probably less likely to be a factor as a freshman, and Singare is very raw offensively and could use a year as Clingan's (or, who knows, Sanogo and Clingan's) backup.
Either way, the Huskies must clear five roster spots to make room for the Fab Five. They'll find a way.
UConn has also been busy scouring the transfer portal, seemingly focused on finding a shooter or two.
A roster with Sanogo, Jackson, Newton, Karaban, Clingan and Alleyne at its core is national repeat-worthy (though it would be interesting to see how Clingan would feel about being a back-up again). Jackson, Newton, Karaban, Clingan and Alleyne, with Castle, Stewart, Ball, maybe Johnson making key contributions, would win a lot of games. There are too many other variant lineups to consider.
But there is little question that the Huskies will again be very strong next season. Little question that they can run it back.
david.borges@hearstmediact.com @DaveBorges
