UConn Basketball Recruiting: Omar Calhoun Commits for 2012-13

Days after the Huskies landed highly-rated recruit DeAndre Daniels for the 2011-12 season, the national champions have bolstered their young squad for the 2012-13 season, landing their first commit from the Class of 2012 as Omar Calhoun has verbally committed himself to the University of Connecticut.

Calhoun, no relation to the Huskies' hall of fame coach, has been a standout at Christ the King in New York. The shooting guard from Middle Village, NY turned down North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, West Virginia, Villanova, Seton Hall and Rutgers after a visit on Thursday to Storrs.

It was this visit that, according to Omar Calhoun, Sr., sealed the deal between his son and the Huskies.

"After spending quality time with coach [Jim] Calhoun, Kevin Ollie and coach [Glen] Miller, we thought it was a place he could continue with his education athletically and academically."

Calhoun Sr. also said that the national championship in 2011 played a big part in the decision.

Both Omar and Jim Calhoun are reason for fans to be excited. It was not just the fact that Jim Calhoun is a great coach, but amid questions regarding the possible retirement of the three-time national champion, Omar Sr. truly believes that Calhoun is ready to keep the party going in Connecticut. It seems that Calhoun is nowhere near ready to quit, despite coming off a championship year and the graduation of arguably his greatest player ever in Kemba Walker.

"It was the passion that coach Calhoun demonstrated, an excitement that he brought to the table," Calhoun Sr. said. "It was the energy level that he spoke with and the determination that you saw in his eyes to win another championship. You felt like he was in it for the long haul."

This UConn team is looking scary good for the next couple years. With core players Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier, Roscoe Smith, Tyler Olander and German duo Niels Giffey and Enosch Wolf all only entering their sophomore years and Alex Oriakhi only going to be a junior, the additions this year of Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels make UConn a team to beat in the Big East.

Add in Calhoun and with their sights set on one or more of prospects Jarnell Stokes, DeVonta Pollard, and primary target Andre Drummond (No. 1 prospect in 2012), the Huskies could be a threat for a couple more championships in the upcoming seasons.

Obviously scholarships will play a big part in the building of this team. Recruiting violations and low APR scores have led to scholarship reduction, but this team is still going to be a menace.