Coveted 2026 hoops recruit commits to UConn

Fast-rising four-star elder defender Junior County told ESPN that helium has committed to UConn.

County, 1 of the apical 5 shooting guards successful the 2026 class, chose the Huskies implicit a last database that besides included Arizona, Indiana, Maryland and Purdue.

After taking trips to each of his different finalists, County took his last sojourn to UConn past weekend, erstwhile the Huskies made their last transportation and secured his commitment.

"It was the feeling I got portion watching practice, talking to [Dan] Hurley and going astir campus," County told ESPN connected Thursday. "I judge I'll beryllium capable to make and turn into the champion mentation of myself portion I'm there."

Hurley's trademark coaching benignant appealed to County.

"We person a large narration and I emotion the intensity," helium said. "I deliberation that's wherefore he's capable to get the champion retired of his players everyday."

A 6-foot-4 combo defender who plays for Wasatch Academy (Utah), County is the No. 43 subordinate wide successful the SC Next 100, ranking arsenic the No. 4 shooting guard. What stands retired astir County is his scoring versatility, on with his accordant intensity.

County averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Utah Prospects connected the Nike EYBL circuit past outpouring and summer, including a brace of 20-point outings and 2 games successful which helium knocked down 4 3-pointers.

"I deliberation I'll beryllium capable to marque winning plays connected some ends of the floor," helium said. "They spot maine being capable to marque those winning plays connected and disconnected the ball."

County is Hurley's archetypal committedness successful the 2026 class, aft landing a top-five radical successful the 2025 people that featured 2 top-25 recruits successful Braylon Mullins and Eric Reibe. It was the 3rd consecutive top-10 people for the Huskies, who finished with the No. 8 people successful 2024 and No. 3 successful 2023 -- winning back-to-back nationalist championships successful between.