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UConn Guard Leaves Dan Hurley After Freshman Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 6:22 PM ET

Between NIL and the transfer portal, the college basketball landscape is in constant flux.

The latest twist comes from Connecticut, where one of the most promising young guards has decided to chart a new course.

Ahmad Nowell, once hailed as one of UConn's crown jewels coming out of Imhotep Charter School in Philadelphia, has opted to leave Dan Hurley and the Huskies after just one year.

As a four‑star prospect and a top-40 national recruit, many assumed he would quickly blossom into a cornerstone of the Huskies' backcourt.

Ultimately, with a shoulder injury followed up by inconsistent playing time, Nowell saw limited minutes on the court, averaging roughly 6 minutes per game in 18 appearances.

Despite briefly stepping into the backup point guard role, he eventually found himself relegated to garbage time as the season wore on.

All of this ultimately led to his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal, where he now joins Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) under head coach new head coach Phil Martelli Jr.

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With three state titles and multiple All-State honors, Nowell's high school resume is nothing short of impressive.

While there were flashes of brilliance in his lone freshman year at UConn, the overall picture was one of unfulfilled potential.

With more consistent playing time ahead and a fresh environment, Nowell’s transfer serves as a win for VCU and a wake-up call for UConn.

Despite a down year, losing a player with such potential underscores the challenges of managing high expectations and deep talent pools in today’s transfer-heavy environment.

As the Huskies prepare for the future, questions abound about how they will fill the void left by Nowell, who joins fellow recruit Isaiah Abraham in leaving the program.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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