UConn’s SIlas Demary Jr. officially withdraws from NBA Draft

The UConn men’s basketball program has its point guard locked in for the 2025-26 season.

Silas Demary Jr., the Georgia transfer who committed to the Huskies in early April, officially withdrew from the NBA Draft, his dad told Jon Rothstein on Monday. A rising junior, Demary declared for the draft as part of the transfer portal process and was able to work out and receive feedback from NBA scouts while preparing for the upcoming season. He implied on a podcast in late April that he would return to UConn as long as he didn’t receive a first round projection.

When he committed, Demary said he wanted become UConn’s next great guard, adding his name alongside the likes of Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier, Steph Castle, Tristen Newton and others. Newton was the player the staff used mostly as a comparison during the recruiting process, allowing Demary to envision himself in a similar position as the two-time national champion who was a second round draft pick in 2024.

Demary averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game last year at Georgia, showing off an all-around ability that attracted the Huskies’ staff.

Listed a 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Demary’s addition immediately addressed two main areas of weakness that haunted the Huskies in 2024-25: point guard play and on-ball defense. He completes a rotation that is likely to be ranked among the best in the country coming into the season. UConn returned five key players in Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed Jr., Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross, in addition to the four freshmen it is bringing in: Braylon Mullins, Eric Reibe, Jacob Furphy and Jacob Ross.

The Huskies added reinforcements behind Demary in former Dayton guard Malachi Smith, and brought in former Le Moyne wing Dwayne Koroma for depth as they continue filling out the roster.