Thanks to a rush of talent flowing from Storrs to the NBA over the past five years, the Association has slowly been repopulated with Huskies. As the 2025-26 season opens, eight former UConn men’s basketball
players will appear on NBA rosters, ranging from seasoned veteran Andre Drummond to rookie Liam McNeeley.
Perhaps the most improbable UConn pro of all, however, is Tyrese Martin.
Recruited by Dan Hurley, Martin started his college career at Rhode Island. He transferred to Storrs in 2020 and played two years at UConn before exhausting his eligibility and trying his hand at the NBA.
The Golden State Warriors took him with the 51st overall pick in 2022, subsequently trading him to the Atlanta Hawks, where he played only 16 games before he was waived. He did not appear in an NBA game again until 2024 when he caught on with the Brooklyn Nets.
Martin scored a career-high 30 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns last November.
“You love seeing guys like Tyrese, some of the guys that went in and were second-round picks battle and get these roster spots that they’ve had to fight for,” Hurley said in a speech at the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast, according to the Hartford Courant’s Joe Aruda. “Even Andre Jackson with the Bucks, fighting and getting that roster spot, and Tyrese fighting and getting that roster spot.”
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Martin has endeared himself to Nets players and fans by embodying the characteristics that have become hallmarks of the Hurley era Huskies.
“He’s scrappy, gritty and gives 100% effort at all times,” On SI Nets beat writer Kyler Fox wrote in September, “which are the exact qualities the soon-to-be-second-year head-coach [Jordi Fernandez] seeks.”
But don’t just take the blogger’s word for it (said with all due respect, pointing to self). Michael Porter Jr. had high praise for Martin during training camp.
“I didn’t know a lot about him, but he’s been consistently killing through scrimmages, through open runs,” he said of Martin earlier this month. “He’s been really impressive.”
It’s been enough to put Martin in position to see some real minutes when the regular season gets going. He shot 45.5% from three-point range in the preseason. It’s a small sample size, but also a 10-point improvement over what he shot in 60 games last season.
After getting off to a rough start, shooting 2-10 overall in his first two preseason games, Martin finished strong, shooting 6-8 in only 19 minutes in his last two.
Dan Hurley Excited to See Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan in Year 2
It should be no surprise that two-time national champion Donovan Clingan and 2024 one-and-done champ Stephon Castle enjoyed successful transitions to the NBA.
Castle was the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year, averaging 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game for the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs went 34-48 last year, but with No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper joining Stephon Castle in the backcourt and Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio has a young core that should be ready to contend.
As for Clingan, it took him some time to get going last year with the Portland Trailblazers, but he scored in double figures in his last four games and notched double-doubles in his last two.
Hurley shouted out both Castle and Clingan on Monday as players he’s “interested” to see how they approach year two.
Everybody Loves Andre Jackson
Then there’s Andre Jackson.
A fan-favorite as a Husky, he quickly endeared himself to Milwaukee Bucks fans. Though his numbers through two seasons won’t blow anyone away, he defense, athleticism and habit of finding the highlight reel have made him an established NBA player.
Jackson started 43 games for the Bucks in his sophomore season and had his full $2.2 million contract guaranteed for 2025-26.
Other Huskies Around the League
Liam McNeeley will begin his NBA career on Wednesday when his Charlotte Hornets host Martin and the Nets. He ended the preseason on a high note, scoring 11 points in the Hornets’ final exhibition.
Like Jackson, Cam Spencer went from second-round pick to bona fide rotation player. The Memphis Grizzlies guard averaged double figures in the preseason with a three-point percentage approaching 50%.
Now entering year three, Jordan Hawkins hasn’t popped quite like many UConn fans hoped for the New Orleans Pelicans. After shooting 39% from three as a sophomore for the Huskies, he has not found similar success in the pros (33% in 2024-25). He did start a handful of games for the Pelicans last year, though, and should be a key rotation player again.
Andre Drummond is the last Jim Calhoun holdout in the NBA and the vet is now entering his 14th season. The Philadelphia 76ers center was still a force on the boards last year, averaging 7-and-7 as Joel Embiid’s backup.
