Saint Mary's transfer Aidan Mahaney, one of the top available guards in the portal, has committed to UConn, he told ESPN.
Mahaney is the second key addition for the Huskies in recent days, following five-star recruit Liam McNeeley, who signed on Friday night. The player from Lafayette, California, visited Storrs late last week but then took a trip to Kentucky this past weekend. He had also visited Creighton and Virginia, but Dan Hurley and the reigning back-to-back national champions prevailed.
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“I chose UConn because I want to compete in national championships,” Mahaney said. “UConn is a place where the main thing remains the main thing. The coaching staff has proven to be the best in the country over the past two years. Offensively, I will be in a different system with Luke Murray, which should enable my game.” To develop even further, I will be challenged to do my best with Kimani Young. All of the staff work incredibly hard and are meticulous about everything trusted.
“I chose UConn to be motivated to be part of something bigger than myself, to compete for a national championship and to turn pro.”
A key factor in Mahaney's decision was UConn's desire to make history again and win a third consecutive national championship.
“The coaching staff at UConn isn’t rebuilding, they’re rebuilding,” he said. “It is clear that the program is back in full swing and I am ready to be part of this journey to continued greatness. One game at a time, of course, but the goals at UConn are being determined right now.” They enter the facilities.
A two-time first-team All-WCC selection, Mahaney was one of the best mid-major guards in the country in his first two college seasons. The 6-foot-2 guard burst onto the scene as a freshman, scoring 25 points in his debut against Oral Roberts and scoring more than six more goals the rest of the season.
But it was his performance in an overtime win against Gonzaga in February of his freshman season that made Mahaney a national name. He scored 10 straight points in regulation and scored or assisted on 19 of 21 points during eight minutes of play in regulation and overtime, leading Saint Mary's to a comeback victory.
Mahaney was just as effective as his sophomore year, posting 25 points against New Mexico, 22 points against Utah and averaging 19.7 points on 50% 3-point shooting in three games against Gonzaga. He scored 23 points in the WCC tournament title game win over the Zags.
In two seasons with the Gaels, Mahaney averaged 13.9 points and shot 37.5% from 3-point range on more than six attempts per game.
Mahaney is a much-needed backcourt addition for the Huskies, who have already lost four starters from the sport's first back-to-back national champions since Florida in 2007. Guards Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are ineligible, while Donovan is expected to be selected in the lottery. Clingan and Stephon Castle entered the NBA draft. Redshirt sophomore Alex Karaban has also declared for the NBA draft but is expected to be selected in the second round, leaving open the option of returning to Storrs.
Hurley will rely on Big East Sixth Man of the Year Hassan Diarra to take on a larger role, while Samson Johnson and Solomon Ball – who each made multiple starts last season – get more minutes. UConn welcomes three ESPN 100 recruits in McNeeley (No. 9), Ahmad Nowell (No. 34) and Isaiah Abraham (No. 58), as well as two transfers in Mahaney and former Michigan star Tarris Reed.
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