The MacDuffie School wing James Bouknight committed to UConn earlier this week. Bouknight is the Huskies first class of 2019 commitment. He spoke to HG Insider on everything that went into making this decision and much more.

Q: How did UConn separate themselves from the rest of the schools you were considering?

A: “Coach Kimani Young has been recruiting me since he was at Minnesota. He's been recruiting me super hard since he was there and then when he got to UConn he kept recruiting me hard. He kept talking to me when I got injured and me and my parents really appreciated that. Coach Hurley has a good track record for developing guys. UConn was everything I was looking for in a school.”

Q: What was it like to be actively recruited by them even when you were out with an injury for the majority of the AAU season?

A: “I just felt like they really cared and were there for me. They told me to stay positive and not to get down on myself. I just loved how they stayed in touch with me because it was kind of what I needed in order to stay positive.”

Q: What's it like to be UConn's first commitment in 2019? What was Coach Dan Hurley's reaction when you told him you were committing?

A: “When I was talking to Coach Hurley, he said that E.C. Matthews was his first commitment when he was at Rhode Island. He was thrilled to have me be his first commitment and start to make this a big 2019 class. He wants UConn to get back to what it used to be.”

Q: You weren't that highly touted earlier in high school. What has this journey been like for you?

A: “My mentor Sean told me that I had a special talent. I just stayed in the gym, stayed positive and strived to be a top 50 kid. I just stuck to it and worked hard every day. Coach Jacque Rivera and Coach Munch Williams told me just how good I could be. That all helped me push myself.”

Q: What is Coach Hurley's plan for you when you get there?

A: “He just wants me to come in and be a scorer and a leader on the floor. Coach wants me to make plays and the team better.”

Q: What are some goals that you have laid out for yourself?

A: “I don't really focus on individual goals. I just want to worry about winning every time we play. We want to win the NEPSAC “AA” Championship and approach this year like we want to go undefeated.”

Q: What are you most excited about your commitment?

A: “I would say just having faith in the coaches to help get us to the next level and get UConn back to where it should be. We want to get this program back to being that national championship caliber team.”