UConn basketball recruiting: Huskies land four-star PG James Akinjo

UConn men’s basketball picked up their first recruit in the class of 2018 as point guard James Akinjo announced his commitment to the Huskies, according to multiple reports. He is rated as a top-100 prospect by Scout and ESPN, while Rivals rates him as the No. 113 prospect in the nation.

A four-star prospect, Akinjo quickly climbed up recruiting boards after being named MVP of the Peach Jam. The 6-foot point guard is known for his on-ball defense and can drive to the rim and distribute the ball well on the offensive end. ESPN describes him as “a true point guard who exudes toughness, confidence and leadership.”

His skills fit perfectly in Ollie’s system, a factor Akinjo highlighted on why he commited to UConn

“I have a lot of trust in Coach Ollie,” Akinjo told Rivals’ Corey Evans. “He knows what it feels like to play in the offense that he runs. He runs a pro-style offense and that is really huge. He understands what it takes to get to the next level.”

Akinjo, a native of Richmond, California, chose the Huskies over Iowa State, Virginia, Maryland and Cal, although UConn was the only school he made an official visit to. During the visit this past weekend, Akinjo’s mother tweeted a video of him shooting hoops with Kevin Ollie which was certainly a good omen towards his decision.

Getting a 2018 guard was important to Ollie and his staff, since they will lose Antowaine Anderson and potentially Jalen Adams after this season. He also provides very good depth in case Alterique Gilbert’s shoulder continues to be an issue.

After Akinjo’s commitment, here’s a look at the Huskies’ scholarship situation: