A key piece of the UConn men’s basketball starting lineup will be back in Storrs next year, as Silas Demary Jr. announced on Instagram Tuesday that he will return for the 2026-27 season.
Demary is the second Husky with remaining eligibility to commit to a reunion with UConn, joining rising senior Jayden Ross. Centers Eric Reibe and Rrezon Elezaj have both announced they will be entering the portal, though neither have yet to pick their destination for next season.
Demary’s return could be a factor
in future decisions for Braylon Mullins, Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart and more on whether they will depart UConn for the transfer portal or, in Mullins’ and Ball’s case, the NBA draft.
The magnitude of Demary’s return to Storrs is immeasurable. Transferring in from Georgia prior to last year’s run to the national title game, Demary helped elevate a point guard position that struggled in 2024-25. In his first year with the Huskies, Demary made 38 of a possible 40 starts, averaging 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds.
His true prowess showed in his playmaking and defensive efforts, leading the Huskies in both steals (62) and assists (229). His 6.0 assists per game led the Big East. He scored a season-high 23 points at Providence on Jan. 7, posted a triple-double against Bryant on Nov. 23, and was named to both the All-Big East First Team and the Big East All-Defensive Team.
An ankle sprain limited Demary’s usage in the NCAA tournament and forced him to sit the opening round against Furman entirely, but he gutted out UConn’s remaining tournament games to help the Huskies reach their eighth Final Four. With no reason to believe he will not be fully healthy heading into next season, he will be a focal point of the UConn offense and the nucleus of their defense as the team looks to raise its third national championship banner in five seasons.
The Huskies will still likely need to bring in one more point guard out of the transfer portal with Malachi Smith void of any remaining eligibility. Neither of UConn’s incoming freshman, small forward Colben Landrew and shooting guard Junior County, fit the true point guard mold the way Demary and Smith did for the Huskies last year.
