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Dan Hurley and his staff continued their hot streak on the recruiting trail as 2019 guard Jalen Gaffney announced his commitment to UConn according to ESPN. Gaffney joins James Bouknight as the second 2019 commitment for the Huskies.
A native of Westtown, Pennsylvania, Gaffney is regarded as a top-100, four-star prospect by ESPN and a three-star prospect by both 247 Sports and Rivals. Listed at 6-foot-2, Gaffney projects as a combo guard.
“Coach [Dan] Hurley laid out five things that stuck with me,” Gaffney said to ESPN’s Adam Finklestein. “The style of play, opportunity to make an immediate impact, exposure, player development, and trust. I trust Coach Hurley, he’s won everywhere he’s been, and I trust the entire staff and have a great relationship with them.”
Assistant coach Kimani Young — also the lead recruiter for Bouknight — was critical in Gaffney’s commitment thanks to a long relationship with his father.
Gaffney chose the Huskies after he took an official visit to Storrs this past weekend. He also held offers from Xavier — where he was scheduled to take an official visit this upcoming weekend — along with Pitt, St. John’s, Clemson and Florida.
Bouknight also appeared to have a hand in Gaffney’s commitment. Zagsblog.com reported that the staff pitched Gaffney on playing with the Brooklyn product, while Bouknight pushed Gaffney towards UConn after his commitment.
“He actually kind of started recruiting me himself,” Gaffney told ESPN. “I think our games complement each other. We’re both athletic and able to score. Together we could be that new duo and help the program get back to its glory days. That was definitely part of the allure of it.”
With two guards now committed in 2019, Hurley and company will turn their attention to the frontcourt, with Precious Achiuwa, Akok Akok and Tre Mitchell as the top targets.