UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley Lists Huskies’ Players Who Could Be Drafted in NBA

Published 05/02/2024, 4:01 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

UConn‘s head coach Dan Hurley must be both happy and sad. After clinching the NCAA tournament for a consecutive time this year, Hurley must be sad because a lot of his champs would leave him for the NBA draft. He will now have to again rebuild a team like he did last year and propel them to go for the title to have a three-peat. However, of those departed, Hurley recently shared his views on who could make the NBA.

Hurley was present in a podcast along with sports journalist Andy Katz and the champion coach opined on who could, of his players, make a great career in the NBA. And his answer had all the fans getting excited for the upcoming NBA draft.

Dan Hurley speaks about four players in particular

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Hurley was asked about the departing players on Wednesday and what could he gauge for their future. Hurley clearly stated his mind which had his fans marveling at his talent-spotting skills. The video of the same was posted on the ‘March Madness’s’ official YouTube channel.

USA Today via Reuters

“Yeah, I think Donovan obviously uh you know that there’s a… there’s a… chance that… that he could find his way I think to number one uh in certain scenarios. uh All of those top teams in the draft or you know between him and Steph Castle. They’re spending a lot of time in stores. You know teams that have top five picks, top eight picks. Are all in on those guys and I think that they’re both going to be you know starting NBA players and and… and… and have tremendous NBA careers,” Hurley stated.

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While UConn center Donovan Clingan smashed 13 points per game, their guard Stephon Castle thrashed 11.1 points per match. Due to their brilliant performances, both have been fan favorites. Per Bleacher Report, Clingan might be a fifth pick this year for the Charlotte Hornets. Similarly, Castle might follow him as the sixth overall for the Portland Trail Blazers.

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“And uh you know Tristan Newton and and uh and Cam Spencer are… obviously uh… you know guys that NBA teams really like and think are going to be NBA players potentially um… you know second round picks guys that uh eventually could play their way into being you know 12 year NBA players,” Hurley continued.

For the record, the Huskies guard Tristen Newton smashed the team’s highest 15.1 points per game whereas another guard Cam Spencer smoked 14.3 points per match, only behind Newton. As per the same mock draft, Newton could be a 52nd pick for the Golden State Warriors and Spencer could follow suit as the 56th pick for the Denver Nuggets. Not only that, Hurley also gave his two cents on Alex Karaban who may or may not make go for the NBA this season.

Dan Hurley sheds light on Alex Karaban’s uncertain future

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Hurley was quick to share that Karaban was looking to earn as respect as he did in the NCAA. He wanted his potential to be completely utilized.  “if he’s going to be a first round pick you know consensus then you know… if you’re going to be valued that way and invested in that way at the NBA uh you know,” Hurley revealed and confirmed that Karaban would come back to the NCAA if “you know anything short of that I think uh you know he he should he would come back and and be one of the stars of college basketball uh you know next year.”

Now that Hurley has revealed the future plans of his stars, fans would be hoping that he builds another exemplary team for the next NCAA season. And bag another NCAA Championship trophy. Moreover, fans would also want to see top Huskies athletes battling in the NBA.

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Written by:

Ritvan Pande

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One take at a time

Ritvan Pande is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He covers Perspectives and Classics as the expert in the longform coverage. Inspired by the fabled Chicago Bulls trio of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, Ritvan captures the staggering court encounters in the same competitive style.
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Edited by:

Arunima Bhanot