UConn’s men’s basketball coaching staff put the press all over the court to get their most coveted recruit, and it worked.
Jaylin Stewart, a 6-foot-7 forward from Seattle’s Class of 2023, committed to the Huskies on Friday after making an official visit over the weekend.
Stewart is a versatile, low-key player who was a high priority for UConn staff. Assistant coach Luke Murray attended all of his games with Seattle Rotary during the Peach Jam tournament in July, and Dan Hurley also attended his games when he arrived in town.
The Huskies really pulled out all the stops this weekend during Stewart’s official visit. UConn’s three other Class of 2023 commitments — five-star guard Stephon Castle, four-star guard Solomon Ball and three-star forward Jayden Ross — also visited this weekend. Meanwhile, 7ft Class of 2023 recruiting target Youssof Singare was also on an unofficial visit.
All five players posed for a photo that mimicked a photo 30 years earlier of Michigan’s famous “Fab Five” freshman class of Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson. In the photo, which was shared on social media, Stewart plays the “role” of Rose – ball in hand, sitting on the ground in the foreground.
“I think he can do a bit of everything,” Seattle Rotary coach Daryll Hennings told Hearst Connecticut Media at the Peach Jam. “He has to work on his engine and his body a bit. But he has a legitimate chance. He handles it well, he shoots well, he’s a better athlete than people give him credit for. He’s got a kind of feel for that.”
Stewart showed off his solid all-round game at the Peach Jam, with a deft shooting touch, good grip, a knack for passing the ball to teammates and surprising athleticism. He told Hearst Connecticut Media that people compare his game to Carmelo Anthony and Jayson Tatum for his low post skills.
“Most of my playing revolves around post moves, crossfades,” Stewart said. “I’m known for being a three-tier scorer, ready to get my guys involved.”
He also thinks that, coming from Seattle — not known as a traditional hoops hotbed — he flies a bit under the radar. Indeed, he is not heavily recruited by many Power Five schools, although USC, Alabama and his home public school, Washington, have offered him.
Stewart is now the fourth player to join UConn’s recruiting class of 2023, which was ranked No. 6 in the nation by 247Sports.com before his commitment.
david.borges@hearstmediact.com @DaveBorges
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