Just finished watching the UConn men play a little pick-up hoops Monday night.
A lot of the players are serving as counselors at coach Jim Calhoun’s basketball camp (which began Monday) and they play against each other when the day is over.
A few notes, with stories to follow in the Post.
– Ater Majok says he’s not sure whether or not he’ll return to UConn in the fall or go play pro ball in Europe.
“I’m just working out here. I don’t know yet,” Majok said.
The 6-foot-10 Sudanese/Australian forward also claims he has no timetable to make a final decision but also says:
“A decision’s going to be coming pretty soon,” Majok said.
Majok is not currently taking any classes at UConn, though it would seem likely that he’ll enroll for the next summer session in Storrs (it begins July 16).
From what we saw Monday night Majok looked OK. Not spectacular but good.
Of course, the competition was pretty good. Gavin Edwards is better (see stronger), Jon Mandeldove is better and Charles Okwandu is much better.
Also, freshman Alex Oriakhi is a beast! Not sure if he walks right into a starting role but he certainly has the body to play now (make that yesterday).
– A couple of hoop alums were playing with the Huskies Monday night. Donny Marshall, who is still something of a regular at Gampel (and who can still play quite a bit…though he has to D-up if he’s going to play next year…lol) was there. So was Tony Robertson.
Tony is one of the most affable players ever to suit up for the Huskies. And he had athletic ability to spare.
Robertson says he’s trying to get a contract to play professionally overseas, which he did two years ago. Still living in Rhode Island, though, Robertson says he’s intent on getting his degree and wants to go into coaching.
– Funniest moment of camp: With some UConn players serving as officials during the campers games, there are rarely a lot of whistles. Most of the action is a “play-on” situation.
But Kemba Walker fancies himself a perfectionist and took the chance to show his stuff Monday. During a late game Walker whistled a player on “shirts” for an offensive foul on a drive to the goal.
Fellow referee Donnell Beverly was incredulous (as were many of the players) but UConn associate head coach George Blaney was a bit amused.
“That’s the first charge in camp history,” Blaney bellowed over the loud speaker. “Congratulations.”
- Neill
