James Akinjo to UConn
James Akinjo, the 6-foot point guard from
Following the news last week that Sidney Wilson would transfer to UConn from St. John’s, UConn announced Tuesday that Wilson has enrolled at the school.
Even though he is a freshman beginning his first full semester of classes, he was enrolled in summer school classes at St. John’s and is considered a transfer. Per NCAA rules, he must sit out the 2017-18 basketball season, pending the outcome of a waiver application. If the waiver is denied, Wilson will be able to practice with the Huskies throughout this season and will have four years of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2018-19 season.
“We are happy and excited to welcome Sid to the UConn family,” UConn coach Kevin Ollie said. “He is an outstanding player and a high-character young man, who has the kind of talent, versatility and athleticism that we want in our program.
By JACOB POLACHECK Landers Nolley, the 6-foot-7 shooting
During the same week UConn picked up St. John’s transfer Sid Wilson, the Huskies also hosted a critical recruit in the Class of 2018.
Jalen Carey, the 6-foot-3, 170-pound point guard from the Playaz and Montclair (N.J.) Immaculate Conception, enjoyed his official visit to UConn and will next head to Syracuse on Sept. 8.
“He is a priority and they plan in two years to get [him] to the league,” John Carey, the player’s father, told ZAGSBLOG about UConn. “They love him.”
Carey previously visited Miami, which could lose guards Lonnie Walker and Bruce Brown to the NBA Draft, and are prioritizing Carey to help replace them.
UConn has landed a pledge from St. John’s transfer Sidney Wilson.
“Sid is going to UConn,” his father told ZAGSBLOG.
The 6-foot-7 wing from The Bronx who spent last season at prep power Brewster (N.H.) Academy after transferring from St. Raymond’s High School announced his transfer from St. John’s this week. He must sit out the 2017-18 season and can suit up for the Huskies in 2018-19. UConn is expected to file a waiver request with the NCAA seeking permission for Wilson to play immediately this season.
Sid WilsonNew Heights BasketballUnder Armour AssociationWatch video on Overtime
“It was a difficult decision to leave St. John’s but this was best for Sid and his growth,” Sidney Wilson Sr. told Rivals. “Not just on the basketball court but mentally, as well. Being in the city was more of a burden, which was really the first reason why I moved him from out of it to Brewster. I kind of lost sight of it when he came back.
“Him not being home for a year and a half, I missed him a lot and so did his sister. However, I forgot the initial reason why I moved him: to get some growth and to become comfortable with losing his mother [in 2015].”
