Three Class of 2017 Recruits Officially Sign with UConn Men’s Basketball

The UConn men’s basketball team started slow on the recruiting trail for 2017. They had an early verbal commitment in Zach Brown, but that did not end very well, as he de-committed a short while later. Recruiting continued without a commitment until a flurry came through in September.

Top-40 guard Makai Ashton-Langford committed on September 5. Then Josh Carlton, a big man from Marlyand, committed just nine days later. Shortly thereafter, four-star forward Tyler Polley gave the Huskies their third verbal commitment in 15 days.

All three of those recruits have now signed their National Letters of Intent and will be coming to UConn.

Ashton-Langford will play his senior year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire after playing for Cushing Academy, in Massachusetts last year.

“Makai is a great point guard from the Boston area, where we’ve done a real good job recruiting in the last few years,” head coach Kevin Ollie said. “He’s just a great kid. He’s got quickness, he’s explosive, and he can shoot the ball.”

Ashton-Langford played his summer ball for Mass Rivals, where sophomore guard Jalen Adams also played. He helped them win four tournaments this summer on the Adidas circuit.

Carlton attends DeMatha Catholic, a national powerhouse in multiple sports. He stands at 6-foot-9 and weighs 230 pounds.

“Josh is a very skilled big man who reminds me of (sophomore) Steve Enoch a little bit, with his skill set,” Ollie said. “He really understands the game, coming from a great high school program at DeMatha. He’s well-coached.”

DeMatha had a record of 33-5 last season. Carlton averaged 3.2 blocks and 11.7 rebounds per game while shooting 62 percent from the field.

Polley is a long 6-foot-8 and 185-pound wing. He attends the Sagemont School in Florida and is a top-100 recruit on all services.

“Tyler is the type of long, athletic wing that we love,” Ollie said. “He can get out in transition and his mid-range game is great.”

He averaged 16.2 points per game to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and was named First-Team Broward County.

All three signed during the early signing period, which lasts from November 9-November 16.