UConn added another commitment to its 2027 class on Wednesday, landing 7-foot-1 center Jack Thelen from Maple Grove High School in Osseo, Minn.
Thelen, ranked as a four-star recruit by the 247Sports composite, joins a strong class that already features two five-star prospects. With Thelen’s addition, the UConn 2027 class has moved to No. 2 in the composite rankings, trailing LSU. Coach Will Wade and the Tigers have commitments from a quartet of five-star prospects.
UConn hosted Thelen on an official visit on Oct. 29, not long after he decommitted from Wisconsin. He had pledged to the Badgers in June.
Before making his decision, Thelen visited Illinois last weekend.
“I would say it’s their pedigree and what they have done with their bigs in the past,” Thelen told 247Sports about choosing coach Dan Hurley and the Huskies. “I see myself in a few of those guys.”
He is counting on the UConn coaching staff to help him with his game as it did with Donovan Clingan, currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I’m improving rapidly, yes, but am I where I want to be? No, I’ll never be,” he said, per 247Sports. “I think I can be more physical around the basket. I’m more of a finesse guy than a power guy and that’s something I can work on because all of the UConn guys are paint mashers. I can also improve on my rebounding and anticipation on blocking shots. I think I have a lot of room to improve there during my career.”
Thelen joins five-star guards NaVorro Bowman Jr. and Jordan Page, both ranked in the top 11 nationwide. Hurley also has a commitment from 6-10 center Keny Vado from France, who is considered to be a developmental prospect.
UConn has won two national championships in the past four seasons and is ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.