UConn guard Solomon Ball is ready to bear a wrist surgical procedure and can redshirt for the 2026-27 season, this system introduced Monday. Ball handled a nagging wrist damage for many of his junior season, which contributed to a decline in his capturing share amid the Huskies’ run to the nationwide title sport.
“Solo is a real Husky and a champion who would do something to be out on the courtroom,” UConn coach Dan Hurley mentioned. “This man has proven all through his profession what a warrior he’s. Solo goes to make use of the season to get his wrist totally wholesome after which come again subsequent 12 months as among the best guards in America whereas cementing his legacy as an all-time nice UConn.”
Whilst his 3-point capturing share slipped from a blistering 41.4% in 2024-25 to only 30% this previous season, ball remained a significant cog in UConn’s beginning lineup. The veteran lefty completed third on the workforce in scoring at 12.8 factors per sport and tied Alex Karaban for many 3-point makes on the workforce with 77.
With Karaban exhausting his eligibility, Ball was set to be this system’s preeminent veteran subsequent season with 113 appearances and 84 begins beneath his belt. Ball was set to be UConn’s main returning scorer as since Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban exhausted their eligibility. That title will go to Braylon Mullins for subsequent season after the rising sophomore averaged 12 factors per sport for the Huskies.
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How UConn will address Ball’s absence
The announcement of Ball’s impending redshirt season additional underscores the importance of Saturday’s information that Mullins will spurn the NBA Draft to return for his sophomore season. With the sharpshooting guard and level guard Silas Demary Jr. additionally again, UConn will nonetheless have robust continuity in its backcourt whereas coping with Ball’s absence.
UConn has further perimeter firepower on the way in which with capturing guard Junior County and small ahead Colben Landrew getting into. Each are top-40 prospects from the Class of 2026 and could possibly be in line for early roles. Duke switch ahead Nik Khamenia must also assist fill the void left by Karaban as a trigger-happy stretch ahead who can stretch the ground.
Sensible long-term play for UConn
All advised, the Huskies are higher geared up to resist Ball’s absence for the season forward than many different packages could be, significantly as a result of Mullins’ return lowered no matter urgency UConn might need felt to get Ball again on the ground for the upcoming season. The redshirt 12 months comes with apparent potential profit for each side. Ball will get the chance to completely rehabilitate an damage that impacted his efficiency, whereas the Huskies can go forward and pencil in a possible all-Huge East caliber participant for his or her 2027-28 rotation.
Such advance roster planning is almost unattainable on this period, however UConn already has star in place for a season that will not be tipping off for an additional 18 months. That is a pleasant luxurious to have, particularly when it is a beloved veteran like Ball, who has performed in two nationwide title video games.