After winning their fifth national championship in program history, the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team lost three starters: Andre Jackson Jr., Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins, to the NBA. As a result, many across college basketball viewed the Huskies as underdog contenders, with them slated to finish third in the Big East conference preseason poll. Despite that, the program reloaded with new talent in a big way, running through March Madness in back-to-back seasons like no one before them.
The narrative for this season has not changed at all in Storrs, Connecticut. Despite Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan all leaving to pursue their NBA dreams, head coach Dan Hurley believes, “Top to bottom, this could be our most talented roster.” The Huskies will now look to the next class of talent to meet that statement and fulfill their goals of the elusive three-peat, which has only been done by John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins. One of the players that the program will be passing off the torch to this season is freshman guard Ahmad Nowell, who has the potential to be the next UConn star.
The 18-year-old hails from Germantown, Tennessee, and he has competed in numerous leagues. Nowell played high school for Imhotep Institute Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he also suited up for the Team Final in the Nike AAU circuit. In high school, Nowell garnered much success for himself and his team, winning three state titles along with numerous individual awards. The incoming freshman has also got it done on the AAU circuit, consistently racking up 20-point nights against elite competition.
In these contests, Nowell also showcased his diverse skillset. On offense, the combo guard can execute from just about anywhere, sinking the three-ball and midrange at a high level. He can make tough shots both on and off the dribble. However, Nowell shines the most inside the arc, specifically near the paint. The Connecticut guard has a polished layup package and isn’t afraid to shed off contact for the and-1 bucket. Even if Nowell finds himself double-teamed or with a low percentage look, he has shown that he can often find a teammate in a good position to score.
Last season, the Huskies’ five starters had their highs and lows, yet it was how they played through the lows that made them so lethal. When in an offensive slump, each of these athletes made it up in other ways. Whether it was finding their teammates who had the hot hand or playing Dan Hurley’s hardnosed defense, that championship team’s selflessness and team-first attitude put them in an echelon of their own. Nowell’s aptitude for setting up his teammates with good offensive looks should excite UConn fans; his impact will be immediate and positive.
Another reason for fans to believe that Nowell will make an immediate impact is his attitude on the defensive end, which plays a significant part in his game and throughout the UConn system. “I feel like I’m gonna be able to help everywhere, just embracing what the coaches are asking for,” Nowell told media personnel. “Just doing whatever they’re asking for to the best of my ability. If that’s playing defense and guarding people full court, then that’s what it will be.”
The scariest part of Nowell’s game is that he is only 18 years old. He possesses immense talent already and he has the potential to only go up from here. After all, his ability to grow was a big reason why he committed to UConn in the first place, with Nowell noting, “It was obviously amazing to see that they could develop all these NBA players and All-Americans and NBA champions. That’s something I want to be in the future.”
As the season begins, it will be interesting to see what role Nowell takes on. With Hassan Diarra and Solo Ball returning for another year and junior guard transfer Aidan Mahaney coming to Storrs, whether Nowell immediately takes on the reigns in the starting five is unclear. Even if he’s not running with the first unit, Nowell has a solid opportunity to carve out significant minutes off the bench as he polishes his game even further.
Nowell is an immediate fit for UConn’s complex system. While there may be some growing pains early on as the 18-year-old gets himself acclimated to the faster and more physical environment of Division I basketball, this is common among freshmen. From Kemba Walker to Tristen Newton, UConn has a long and proven history of developing All-American point guards. There is no reason to believe Nowell doesn’t have the potential to be the next great playmaker at Storrs.