Deandre Daniels to Uconn

Im kind of shocked because I was hearing it was between Kansas and Texas. I was working on some Big East predictions and I had Uconn at number 1 slightly ahead of Lville and Cuse but this development just solidifies their spot in my rankings This was written by ESPN On The Trail Recruiting.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/41/page/onthetrail/class/2012

Small forward DeAndre Daniels has made his college decision and will suit up for the Connecticut Huskies in the fall, according to a release on the IMG Academy website.

Daniels spent the past year at IMG in Bradenton, Fla. and was being recruited by Kansas, Texas, Duke and Kentucky, among others.

"I think UConn surprised a lot of people with this pick up," ESPN’s National Recruiting Director Paul Biancadi said. "And keep in mind it is just a verbal commitment until he enrolls, but what a terrific catch for the Huskies.

"UConn is getting a highly skilled small forward who can shoot it from 3, hit pull-ups in the mid-range and finish in transition. At his size he can score over most 3’s in the paint."

Biancardi credited the extra year at IMG for helping Daniels’ development.

"He was able to not only work on his skill development, but he really made it a priority to get in the weight room and add strength. He’s put on 15-20 pounds of muscle which will pay immediate dividends at the next level and help him finish games."

Overall, Daniels should fit nicely in to a program that hopes to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament every year.

"If you look at the big wings the Huskies are bringing back next year in Jeremy Lamb and Roscoe Smith , and add DeAndre to the mix you can expect big things again for Jim Calhoun," Biancardi noted. "The versatility on the perimeter both offensively and defensively should really put pressure on opposing teams."

"Add the two jet-quick guards they have in Shabazz Napier and (incoming freshman) Ryan Boatright and you can see why the Huskies don’t rebuild, they reload."

Sophomore small forward Jamal Coombs-McDaniel‘s decision to transfer most likely played a role in Daniels choice.