UConn Sports Weekly: Roster moves all over

'Tis the season for additions and departures. Plus, football recruiting and Huskies in the NBA.

June 05, 2026

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Steph Castle at practice before the NBA Finals. (Twitter/X - @spurs)

Headlines

Elmir Džavić transfers to MBB

Dan Hurley is now up to seven transfers added for the 2026-27 season with the announcement of Arkansas center Elmir Džavić. The 7-footer claims UConn’s 14th of a possible 15 scholarships for next season and will serve as a third center for the Huskies.

Džavić, a rising sophomore, appeared in just seven games for the Razorbacks last season, accumulating 16 on-court minutes and three points. The Bosnia and Herzegovina native will be an important practice piece thanks to his frame and SEC + global experience. 

Photo: Twitter/X - @StorrsCentral

At the UConn Coaches Road Show at Kinsmen Brewery in Southington, men’s basketball GM Tom Moore – appearing in place of Hurley – spoke at length about the previous season, recruiting out of the transfer portal, and his expectations for 2026-27. 

Former Husky Steph Castle and his Spurs are down 0-1 in the NBA Finals after the New York Knicks took game one in San Antonio. Castle had 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, but Jalen Brunson was simply too clutch down the stretch. Game 2 is tonight at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.

10 baseball players in the portal

After a down year for UConn baseball, some talent is also on the way out. Big East Pitcher of the Year Cayden Suchy, plus multiple all-conference players like Tyler Minick, Anthony Belisario, and Peyton Jemison are among the 10 players known to be transferring. 2025 Big East Preseason Player of the Year Maddix Dalena is in the portal, as well.

No official announcement of Suchy’s departure has been made, though Baseball America, D1 Baseball, and On3 have all reported his entry. The left-hander posted 105 strikeouts in 89.1 innings with a 2.72 ERA, leading perhaps the best weekend rotation UConn has had in years. 

We break down everyone who is in the portal, potential reasons why, and what it means for 2027 over on Hook C Baseball.

While Jim Penders and his staff get knee-deep in 2027’s roster construction, a conference opponent is still playing for a chance at an NCAA title. St. John’s went 3-0 at the Tallahassee Regional, twice beating No. 10 Florida State to advance to the Super Regional round. 

The Johnnies, who took two out of three from UConn in their lone series this year, will play a best-two-out-of-three series against No. 7 Alabama starting Friday, with the winner advancing to the Men’s College World Series. 

Jake Richard signs with the Sabres

In a jolting turn of events, Jake Richard will not be returning to UConn men’s hockey for his senior season, instead opting to sign an entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Head coach Mike Cavanaugh told the UConn Hockey Hub in late April that Richard, along with forward Joey Muldowney, would forego turning pro for their final collegiate seasons. 

The Sabres announced Richard’s signing on a two-year deal on May 28, and his reason for reversing course is not yet clear. He was originally drafted by Buffalo in 2022, the 170th overall pick. 

Replacing one of UConn’s most productive offensive weapons in the Hockey East era will prove difficult. At this point in the offseason, the crop of available players in the transfer portal is mostly picked over. 

Football recruiting visits roll on

Jason Candle has already secured one 2027 commit on each side of the football and continues to hone in on more. UConn football hosted a plethora of recruits last weekend during the first official visit weekend on the recruiting calendar.

The group on campus was offense-heavy, with a pair of quarterbacks and multiple skill players and offensive linemen in the mix. Among the contingent were three-star QB Ben Rolapp and three-star OL Krystian Oakley. Graham Chamberlain identified the two among the five must-land recruits ($) as UConn builds for 2027. 

Storrs Central followed up with Oakley and others to hear their thoughts on how the weekend went. 

WR Dae’Sean Graves and DB Eltonino Hicks are UConn’s two recruits in the 2027 class so far.  

In the pro ranks, former Husky tight end Louis Hansen impressed well enough at the Houston Texans’ rookie minicamp to earn an undrafted free agent contract. Hansen spent three seasons with UConn and now has a chance to stick in the NFL. 

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Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton wrap up solid second pro seasons – Spencer emerged for the Grizzlies, while Newton dominated the G League. 

Women’s Basketball

The Weekly: UConn begins summer workouts – Plus, an injury update on Morgan Cheli and UConn’s return game vs. Florida State

Fudd enters starting five, Stewart helps Liberty bounce back, Chen finds her role ($) – Catching up on the latest with former Huskies in the WNBA. 

Hockey

The story of UConn women’s hockey’s first team (part one) – The Huskies were merely a club team when they first took the ice. 

The story of UConn women’s hockey’s first team (part two) – How the 2000-01 team set the foundation for the program’s future

Soccer

UConn women’s soccer announces four additions – Three transfers and a freshman from Iceland will join the Huskies next season. 

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