The Huskies have won three straight national titles and their incoming freshman class is probably good enough to be ranked in the top 25. Given that success breeds success -- and coach Geno Auriemma certainly has a lot to do with that -- it only stands to reason that UConn's 2016 recruiting class has the makings of a formidable group.
The latest: Molly Bent committed to the program on Thursday, becoming the third player to do so after Crystal Dangerfield and forward Kyla Irwin.
The 5-9 point guard from Tabor Academy and Barnstable, Massachusetts made an official visit on Wednesday and apparently saw enough to make up her mind a short time later.
“That’s what I told them,” Bent told SNY.com's Carl Adamec on Friday. “From what they told me, one of the coaches was walking by and there was something that I did in my game that caught their eye. They watched a little bit and then (assistant coach) Shea Ralph got in touch with my AAU coach. I was so excited.
“I was on campus Wednesday and I loved every minute. I knew right away. It just felt like home. I loved the coaches and the players, the family atmosphere, and just the basketball culture. Academics are also very important to me so that’s something I wanted to check out.
“I got home and I decided to sleep on it. I talked to my family and then I told Coach Auriemma. Then today all my friends found out. I’m really, really happy.”
Bent will make her debut months after Moriah Jefferson has wrapped up her Huskies career, which could mean more playing time early.
I love to pass the ball and find the open players, I love to run and I love to compete,” Bent said. “I may not be the tallest or the quickest, or the most athletic, but I will compete. And I’ll knock down a shot when my team needs me to.”
Meanwhile, UConn's 2015 class includes Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year Katie Lou Samuelson, Napheesa Collier and De’Janae Boykin, who are all top-10 players. There's also Georgetown transfer (and 2013-14 Big East freshman of the year) Natalie Butler.
Put differently: When Bent arrives on campus there's no reason to think the Huskies won't remain one of the best programs in the country.
