Jayden Ross announces he’s returning to UConn next season

UConn sophomore Jayden Ross has announced that he will return to Storrs next season for his junior year.

The 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward from Bristow, Virginia, played 11.4 minutes per game for UConn last season, averaging 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds.

Ross saw his playing time dwindle as the season went on after playing significant minutes earlyon. His season high in scoring came in his first game against New Hampshire, when he put up 14 points in 23 minutes. He scored in double figures just once more, 10 in 25 minutes against Maryland-Eastern Shore.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley envisioned Ross as a defensive stopper, and said in January that he wanted to see him earn more playing time.

“Our defense is not what it’s been. He’s the type of player that could help us,” Hurley said after a victory at DePaul on New Year’s Day. “If we could get him into the 20-minutes-a-game range, with his length and athleticism on the perimeter, he could be a stopper type like we’ve had with (Stephon) Castle, like we had with Andre Jackson.

“We need his offense to come along a little bit … But he’s part of the reason why we were able to guard the (3-point) line a lot better (vs. DePaul), his length.”

Ross committed to UConn as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, ranked No. 84 in the nation by ESPN. He should compete for playing time next season in what appears to be a roster with plenty of backcourt and wing options. Sophomore Solo Ball announced his decision to return last week, as did classmate Jaylin Stewart. UConn received a commitment from Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr., and will have McDonald’s All-Americans coming in freshmen Darius Adams and Braylon Mullins, as well as top Australian prospect Jacob Furphy.

In addition to Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, who have used up their eligibility, next year’s roster will be missing Liam McNeeley (NBA Draft), and Ahmad Nowell, Isaiah Abraham, Aidan Mahaney and Youssouf Singare, who have all entered the transfer portal. The big question marks remain captain Alex Karaban, who has one year of eligibility remaining, and center Tarris Reed Jr.

“Home is where the heart is,” Ross wrote in a post on Instagram announcing his return. “Can’t wait for yr 3 in Storrs.”

Originally Published: April 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM EDT