UConn F Juwan Durham Will Not Return Next Season

The offseason of changes continues as Juwan Durham announced he will not return to UConn next season. He becomes the third player to leave, joining Steven Enoch and Vance Jackson.

Durham was part of last season’s top-10 recruiting class, coming in as a four-star prospect from Florida. He came to UConn having not played in almost two years after tearing each ACL in back-to-back seasons. There was speculation about a possible redshirt, but Durham was healthy enough to play by November.

However, Durham struggled for playing time and never made much of an impact. His best game came in February against USF, when he scored eight points in 16 minutes while grabbing four rebounds. In late January, he dealt with a foot injury that forced him out for three games.

But coming into this season, Durham was in line for an increase in minutes, especially after Steven Enoch’s decision to transfer. Now, the Huskies front court situation becomes even more tenuous, with only Mamadou Diarra, Eric Cobb and Josh Carlton remaining, with only Cobb bringing Division I experience.

The coaching staff now must turn to the recruiting trail and graduate transfer market in order to solidify the position. One name to watch is former Washington commit Mamoudou Diarra. He was recruited by new associate head coach Raphael Chillious and will reportedly visit next weekend.

While transfers happen in college basketball, four players leaving the program (Counting Makai Ashton-Langford re-opening his recruitment) is worrying. Hopefully, Ollie and his staff can bring in some players to replace the production that has been lost and ease the growing concerns around the program.