UConn men’s basketball lands commitment from center Javonte Brown-Ferguson

Dan Hurley and his staff added their center of the future with a commitment from Javonte Brown-Ferguson. While he was a member of the class of 2021, Brown-Ferguson will be reclassifying to become UConn’s second class of 2020 recruit, joining Andre Jackson.

“Me and my family recognize [UConn] would be the best fit for us and especially for me,” Brown-Ferguson told 247sports. “It’s close to home and then they are getting a lot of hype right now because they are getting back to the Big East.”

UConn beat out Kansas and Texas A&M to land the big man from Thornlea Secondary School in Markham, Ontario who is ranked the 14th center in the 2021 class by 247 Sports, and is considered a 4-star recruit by both Rivals and 247. Rivals analyst Corey Evans called him a “high-end” 4-star in the class, and also hinted at his likely reclassification. Evans also went into what Brown-Ferguson will bring to the team.

“He will be relied upon immediately for his rim-running abilities, rebounding in the lane and shot-altering skills,” Evans wrote.

UConn’s recruitment of Brown-Ferguson gained steam the week of October 2 when assistant coach Kimani Young visited him in Ontario. The Huskies still had to fend off Kansas head coach Bill Self and A&M head coach Buzz Williams, however. Both hosted the seven footer later in the month.

Hurley had a final chance to make his pitch on October 18, when Brown-Ferguson visited campus for the Huskies’ First Night festivities.

“The moment I realized was when I first stepped on campus and I saw all the guys practicing and saw the assistant coaches and how intense they are and how the players took to them,” Brown-Ferguson said.

With Brown-Ferguson committed, UConn’s scholarship allotment for the 2020-21 season is filled, barring any unexpected departures.