UConn Sports Weekly: It's Portal Time

As soon as basketball season ends, the coaching staff gets right to work on next year's roster.

Author

Aman Kidwai
April 16, 2026

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Future Husky Najai Hines against Tarris Reed Jr., the man he will be replacing in the UConn lineup.

Headlines

Getting big with Najai Hines

Tom Moore has been feeling good lately, and he has many reasons.

UConn earned a commitment from Seton Hall center Najai Hines on Wednesday, filling an urgent need with Tarris Reed Jr. and Eric Reibe leaving. Hines played 31 games as a freshman for the Pirates, averaging an impressive 6.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 2.2 BPG in 18 MPG.

Storrs Central’s Brian Kervick has an in-depth look at what the newest Husky big man brings to the table.

UConn also has Duke transfer Nikolas Khamenia, a former blue-chip recruit, on campus for an official visit. The 6-foot-8 wing was ranked no. 15 in the country by 247Sports out of the class of 2025 from Harvard Westlake High in LA. He averaged 19 minutes per game for the Blue Devils last year, starting in five games while appearing in 38, averaging 5.7 PPG and 3.3 RPG.

On the retention front, Silas Demary Jr. announced Tuesday that he will be returning for his senior season. This is huge — we’re thinking Year 2 Tristen Newton. There is also a lot of momentum for Braylon Mullins returning for a sophomore campaign, though the NBA Draft remains an option.

Demary joins Jayden Ross as one of the returning Huskies to commit for next season. Mullins, Solo Ball, and Jaylin Stewart remain undecided. Reibe and Rrezon Elezaj hit the portal early, and Uroš Paunovic and Jacob Furphy were the latest to follow. 

Hurley’s Latest

Dan Hurley spoke with the media on Tuesday, offering a “season wrap-up.” He lauded Reibe as “a soldier and a warrior for us” who “saved” the Huskies in the non-conference when Tarris Reed battled injury.  

“He’s going to have a great career wherever he goes,” Hurley continued.  “He’s one of my favorite guys I’ve ever coached. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about Eric, and I’ll be rooting for him.” 

UConn will still be looking for another center out of the portal to fill the backup position.

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Azzi Fudd picked 1st overall; Williams in 3rd round

For the second year in a row, a UConn Husky was the first player picked in the WNBA draft. Azzi Fudd went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, reuniting with Paige Bueckers.

Fudd surged to the top of draft boards behind an outstanding final two seasons in which she was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2025 and a First Team All-American in 2026. Dallas went a dismal 10-34 last season and will be looking to the duo of Fudd and Bueckers to lead a turnaround under new head coach Jose Fernandez. 

Serah Williams was drafted in the third round by the Connecticut Sun but then traded to the Portland Fire four picks later. 

Williams, who says she attended the draft in support of Fudd, was drafted out of the audience, later finding out that she was traded, “in the elevator with my agent.”

Listen to her and Fudd’s full availabilities here. 

Williams and Fudd became the 51st and 52nd players drafted to the WNBA in UConn history, while Caroline Ducharme will try to crack the Golden State Valkyries roster on a training camp contract.


Baseball barreling through the Big East

Photos: Ian Bethune

Nearly 10 games into the conference slate, UConn baseball has been steadily chugging along. The Huskies are 20-18 on the year and 6-3 in the Big East, having won all three series thus far.

Last weekend’s series win took a bit more effort on UConn’s end, as the Huskies had to win two straight on Saturday and Sunday to overcome a walkoff loss at Butler on Friday. Cayden Suchy helped even the series Saturday, twirling his first career complete game, striking out 11 hitters en route to UConn’s 3-1 win.

On Sunday, the offense paced a 13-0 run-rule win, as starter Oliver Pudvar went the distance over seven innings. 

Jackson Marshall posted a game-high four RBI, becoming the first Husky this year to reach the 10-homer plateau. He has mashed all season long for UConn, establishing himself as one of the premier bats not just in the Huskies’ lineup, but in the Big East entirely — more on his transition to UConn, below. 

St. John’s comes to town this weekend. The Red Storm have put a difficult non-conference slate behind them and currently own the top spot in the Big East, just ahead of UConn. They swept Seton Hall to start conference play before taking two out of three from Georgetown. The Huskies enter the weekend coming off an 8-5 loss to Boston College on Wednesday. 

First pitch Friday is 6:05 p.m., followed by a 2:05 start Saturday and a 1:05 start Sunday. 


Football plays a spring…showcase

Jason Candle’s rebuilt roster took the field at the Rent for the first time on Saturday in front of fans. While there was no fully live action, fans in attendance were treated to situational snaps, 7-on-7, red zone drills, and some special teams plays. 

“That was one of 15, a small snapshot,” Candle told reporters afterward. “You’re seeing what guys can and can’t do…you hope by fall camp, you get guys comfortable with the scheme.” 

Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Castle vs. Clingan First Round Preview, WNBA Free Agency Roundup – The latest on the Huskies in the pros. 

Nikolas Khamenia Portal Prospect Profile (Official Visit 4/15/26) ($) – The Duke transfer was on campus Wednesday.

Draft Night Awaits Azzi Fudd, McNeeley Wins G League Championship – McNeeley averaged 17.2 points, seven rebounds, and three assists across five playoff games with the Greensboro Swarm, taking home some hardware in his first professional season.

Women’s Basketball

UConn’s championship window remains wide open despite failing to repeat – A look at where the Huskies stand going into the 2026-27 season. 

Unlike most years, UConn didn’t peak at the right time – The Huskies were the best in the regular season, but wilted in the NCAA tournament. 

Football

2026 UConn Football Spring Showcase Preview + Loaded Visit Weekend ($) – In addition to their spring showcase, UConn hosted a plethora of potential recruits. 

Hockey

Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, Ryan Tverberg make NHL debuts – The two are the 10th and 11th Huskies to appear in the NHL. 

Kevin Fitzgerald enters the transfer portal – The redshirt freshman will seek a new team. 

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