James Akinjo

On Monday, UConn landed a commitment from a Top 100 2018 point guard in James Akinjo, who officially visited the Huskies this weekend.

Akinjo, one of the top point guards on the west in 2018, is a 6-foot, 160-pound athlete from Richmond (Calif.) Salesian.

Scout’s 98th ranked prospect in the class, Akinjo is a player UConn targeted early and the Huskies are landing him after the rising senior had a big summer on the AAU circuit.

Akinjo is on the extremely young side of his class and age-wise and could easily be 2019. That youth has helped make evaluating him a little more difficult than the typical prospect due to inconsistency, but the fact that Akinjo is currently playing the best basketball of his life definitely bodes well for his future.

He can mix up scoring and creating due to his handle, vision and shooting ability. He's got the handle to get into the lane and find teammates, while he's also a very competent scorer. He's got a stocky frame with pretty long arms and terrific ball skills.

Akinjo has a quick stroke and can hit threes off the catch and pull as well as midrange pull-up jumpers, although he's much more consistent as a shooter from the perimeter at this point.

The jump that Akinjo made from even April to July was notable. In the spring and summer playing with the Oakland Soldiers on the EYBL circuit, Akinjo averaged 10.1 points and 4.3 assists, shooting 33.3% from three.

At the Peach Jam, leading the Soldiers to the championship and taking home MVP in the process, Akinjo averaged 18.8 points and 7.0 assists, shooting 42.9% from three.

If Akinjo can take the July he had and continue to build on it, he’s a player who has the talent to keep moving up the rankings.

Either way, UConn is getting a talented point guard with the upside to make a big difference for Kevin Ollie and staff.