Monday, April 14, 2008

Thabeet Returning?; Wiggins, Kelly Out?

According to Andy Katz of ESPN.com, Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun said sophomore center Hasheem Thabeet is about 60-40 percent towards returning for his junior campaign. The 7-3 big man is likely to be drafted in the middle of the first-round, but there is a consensus that he has things to work on. "Will he be drafted in the first round? He's too big, too strong, not to help a team and he can block shots in the NBA right now," Calhoun said. "But there are a lot of things that he doesn't pick up instinctively. No matter where he is he'll have to work on his post moves this summer." Thabeet averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game this past season.

Furthermore, Katz reported that Calhoun said sophomore guard Doug Wiggins "could be" one of the players leaving the team this offseason. Wiggins was suspended earlier this season, along with Jerome Dyson, but still managed to average 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Another player that might be on his way out is sophomore forward Curtis Kelly. According to Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News, Kelly is said to be considering a transfer from the Huskies. Incoming freshman Kemba Walker, who played at Rice High School with Kelly, seems to have confirmed the rumors. "I heard about it,” Walker said. "I’m definitely disappointed, but I guess it’s a better thing for him." Kelly averaged 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds per game this past season.

1 comment:

  1. If Thabeet returns I'd have to say UConn is the early favorite to win the Big East. A lot could depend on the knee of AJ Price, but UConn is a team to watch out for for next season. Thatbeet, Price, Adrien, Dyson, Robinson, and Austrie. Now they've all played in an NCAA Tournament (granted they lost in the 1st rd). This team could make a deep run.

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