UConn men’s basketball has landed its first commitment from the class of 2026: Junior County is headed to Storrs.
County is a 6-foot-4 guard from Mount Pleasant, Utah, and will graduate from Wasatch Academy at the end of this academic year. The Huskies still have four open scholarship slots available for the 2026-27 season, following his commitment.
According to 247Sports, County is the No. 29 ranked player in his class and the second best at his position. The team offered him a spot on the roster on May 22, 2025. Two months later, he announced that UConn was in his top five on July 28. His official UConn visit was on Friday, Sept. 26.
He revealed his commitment to Rivals’ Joe Tipton on Thursday, Oct. 2, choosing UConn over Purdue, Indiana, Maryland and Arizona.
“I chose UConn because I believe I’ll be able to develop into the best version of myself and have a chance to win a National Championship,” County said to Tipton.
247Sports’ Director of Recruiting Adam Finkelstein said that County is “capable of creating his own shot from all three levels” and has all the “winning intangibles.”
Finkelstein says that County has improved as a ball handler and can be a “legit big guard because of it.”
According to Max Preps, County averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball league this summer. His size and athleticism allow him to attack the basket with intensity.
When asked by Tipton about the kind of player he is, he called himself a “big versatile guard who plays both ends of the floor.”
Sound familiar, Husky fans?
His big frame at the guard position makes him the kind of asset that has brought UConn success in the past. Last season, UConn was lacking the size on the perimeter that made past rosters for the program, headlined by the likes of Stephon Castle and Andre Jackson Jr., so dominant.
“If you look at what we’re doing in recruiting, we are looking for bigger guards” said head Coach Dan Hurley. “The difference between how we were with those big guards [is] the ability to throw the lobs, spray it out to the three-point line, finish at the rim or get fouled.”
UConn’s offense under Hurley has thrived with constant off ball movement and actions through ball screens. County understands playing within “the flow” and that he can make quick cuts and good reads, according to Finkelstein. He credits this to County’s “unselfishness” and “high basketball IQ.”
When on the recruiting trail, County commented in an interview with Hoop HQ’s Krysten Peek that one of the most important aspects that would impact his decision was his “connection with the head coach.”
“[Hurley]’s super honest with me and I really appreciate that,” County said in another interview with Peek.
Hurley mentioned that along with big guards, the team is “looking for players that want to be coached.” While County is one of the best high school players in the country, he still recognizes that he has a lot to improve on.
“Hopefully he can help me with my mistakes,” said County. “I believe Hurley has the ability to get the best out of his players every day.”
While County is a sound shooter, Finkelstein noted that he needs to “smooth out” his jump shot from beyond the arc in situations where “he is rushed or on the move.”
UConn is a long way from home for County. According to On3, it was the furthest school that was in his top five, but that hasn’t shaken his excitement to be a Husky.
“I’m ready to work my hardest and compete for a National Championship,” County said to Tipton as a message for UConn fans.