CHICAGO — The UConn men’s basketball program could lose three, possibly four, starters from the national championship team to the pros. But Andre Jackson, one of the four likely to play his part in becoming an NBA draft pick in the pre-draft group this week, doesn’t think a repeat title is out of the picture for the Huskies despite losing so much talent.
“I mean, shoot, every year you can be as good as you want,” said the outspoken leader of the 2022-23 tournament. “This is how I look at her.”
After the championship game, Donovan Clingan sat in the locker room with blue sunglasses and a chain around his neck as he recalled the advice he received from UConn legends Emeka Okafor and Ray Allen moments earlier. “They just told me to live in the gym this summer and I’d be able to take over that program one day,” he said.
In the corner, Clingan’s newcomer and roommate Alex Karaban, who could be the only rookie back if Jackson and Tristen Newton decide to turn pro with Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins, has been expounding his own thoughts on the future. He mentioned that he was talking to Clingan about how cool it would be to go 4 vs. 4 at national titles, like Breanna Stewart did during her legendary career with the women’s team.
While Jackson was the leading face of the Husky family and Sango was the one to do it by name, new duo Clingan and Karaban played no small role. Both will come back looking for redundancy, and Jackson is confident he could make it back on the list or not.
“It’s all about what you do in the locker room. It’s all about what you do on the field, what you bring to the game, the right things. I think they can do it again,” he said after an altercation to Chicago’s pro scouts. with the intention of it. I mean, going out there every day and not being satisfied because you already did, you go out every day and train to compete harder because you did. And now you know it will be 10 times harder to do it again.”
Based on the performance: “Andre Jackson Jr. Lets His Game Decide His Next Step.”
College basketball hasn’t seen a repeat national champion in more than 15 years, since Florida won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Coached by Billy Donovan, the Gators made five starts both years.
In today’s scene, it seems impossible to imagine that happening again.
As of May 20, with no additions on the transfer gate yet and decisions for Newton and Jackson still to come, UConn’s 2023-24 roster will include at least five players with tournament experience and a coaching staff that Jackson says is determined to stay on top.
“Understand that with a great leader like Coach (Dan) Hurley, Coach Luke (Murray), Coach Kimani (Young), Coach (Tom) Moore—a great coaching staff—they will continue to push you to strive for anything less,” Jackson said. Especially after winning.”
Jackson believes Clingan, the 7-footer from Bristol who many analysts say would have been a top 10 pick if he had entered the NBA draft this year without starting a game in college, to do exactly what Okafor and Allen said He can.
They Don’t Grow Up Fast: It’s been a pleasure watching the development of UConn freshman Donovan Clingan
“He’s going to make huge strides, he’s a really dynamic player, someone who will influence the game on both sides of the floor. Everyone has seen what he’s been able to do in short minutes this year playing behind one of the best seniors in college basketball in Adama, So now he’s stepping into that role.”
“And he’s a really, really dedicated guy. So I know he’d be ready for that opportunity. A guy who really puts in the work, a guy with a lot of heart and a lot of faith in himself. He’s one of my best, if not my best friends on the team, so I know what he’s going to do and he’s He knows what he’s going to do. He definitely has his mind set on going out and competing again and proving himself. So I love this guy and wish the best for him.”
Clingan averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in just 13.1 minutes per game as a freshman last season. Karapan, who played as a starter after a foot injury in the season opener against Samson Johnson, became a major candidate for the Big East’s Freshman of the Year award.
Karapan shot over 40% from 3-point range, and put together a string of clutch shots, buzzer hitting and swing momentum throughout the season, adding to his 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists on the year.
Jackson thinks Karaban will make the leap in his sophomore year.
Best captain out there, it’s all about the right stuff! That would be draft steal! 🐺💙 https://t.co/xP6J3aPSp7
– Alex Karaban (@AlexKaraban) May 17, 2023
“He’ll always jump in because he’s the hardest worker, the guy who’s in the gym constantly, the guy who has all the right things,” Jackson said. “Very high IQ, he will always make a big leap. And that’s my man bro. I love you AK, that’s my dog forever.”
Karaban watched Andy Katz’ video of Jackson’s comment and retweeted it saying, “Best captain out there, it’s all about the right things! He’d be stealing the draft!”
The vicinity of Clingan and Karapan will be the No. 3 recruiting class in the country, Per 247 sportsHighlighted by Stefon Castle, All-American Ranger. Hurley and the staff want to build with an experienced shooter to fill the “Joey California” role played by Joey Calcaterra and find another marksman, but for now, Jackson said, the foundation is strong.