The UConn men’s basketball program landed a marquee transfer portal prospect to tackle a obtrusive want at center, incomes a dedication from Seton Hall submit participant Najai Hines Wednesday evening.
Hines, who visited the UConn campus Tuesday, made the announcement on social media.
Dan Hurley’s squad suffered main losses on the inside after Tarris Reed Jr. graduated from this system and freshman Eric Reibe made a stunning dip into the transfer portal final week. Hines fills this void because the No. 6-ranked center in the transfer portal, in accordance to 247Sports, and one of many nation’s premier rim-protectors final season — the New Jersey native blocked 16.4% of opponent pictures in 2025-26, the second-highest fee in Division I.
Hines joined the Seton Hall program as a late enrollee in the 2025 class and made a right away impression for the Pirates, recording 12 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks on opening evening in opposition to Saint Peter’s. He averaged 6.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds and over two blocks per recreation off the bench for Seton Hall final season, usually battling bother (5.2 fouls/40 minutes) whereas posting the very best turnover fee of any Pirates front-court participant.
The Storrs devoted ought to have already got a good opinion of Hines as he delivered a superb efficiency at Gampel Pavilion again in February as Seton Hall almost spoiled Senior Day for Reed and Alex Karaban. Hines recorded an 11-point double-double to go together with three blocks off the bench because the Pirates constructed a three-possession lead after halftime, however the Huskies managed to rally for a 71-67 win.
The 6-foot-10, 265-pound huge man grew up simply 15 miles from the Seton Hall campus and blossomed into the No. 1 participant in New Jersey in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. As a senior at Plainfield High, he averaged 18.8 factors, 16.9 rebounds and three.5 blocks per recreation and recorded a double-double in each recreation.
He additionally starred in the course of the 2025 Nike Peach Jam for the NY Rens, averaging 13.1 factors, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 57 p.c taking pictures over eight video games.
Hines, who’s one in all 14 youngsters in his household, attended highschool in North Carolina earlier than shifting again to his residence state of New Jersey forward of this season yr. As a highschool tight finish in North Carolina, Hines drew soccer scholarship presents from South Carolina, West Virginia, and Houston.
