After pulling in one of the best recruiting classes in the country for 2016, the UConn men’s basketball has gotten off to a strong start for 2017.
Zach Brown, a 7-foot-1, 250-plus pound center from Miami High, has told ESPN’s Reggie Rankin that he is coming to UConn.
Brown, who attended the UConn-Tulane game at the XL Center on Tuesday night, his second visit to UConn, was clearly about to make his choice. He smiled broadly when he told reporters, “I’m close to making my decision.”
The Huskies have four ranked Class of 2016 recruits signed – point guard Alterique Gilbert of Georgia, who is a McDonalds’ All-American, forwards Juwan Durham (6-10) of Tampa, Mamadou Diarra (6-8) of Putnam Science Academy and forward Vance Jackson (6-8) from Los Angeles, considered a great perimeter shooter.
Amida Brimah would finish his eligibility in 2017, just as Brown, if he follows through with his commitment, would be arriving on campus.
Brown has been coached by former UConn center Nantambu Willingham in AAU basketball. Generally considered a top-30 recruit in the class of ’17, Brown averaged 18.4 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks per game for Miami Beach High last season, and has transferred to Miami High this season. Brown had 37 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks in a game in December.
At the game on Tuesday night, he told reporters, “I’ve learned that [UConn] is a brotherhood, and also that they want to make sure that you’re not only doing well in basketball.”
He can sign a National Letter of Intent as early as November 2016. UConn coaches cannot comment on recruits until they sign.
