Dan Hurley has always been known for his intensity and passion for the game of basketball. He consistently brings a high level of energy to the sidelines.
With the rise of the transfer portal, Hurley now finds himself competing with programs across the country to attract top talent.
After leading his team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament titles, the Huskies fell this March to the defending national champion Florida Gators.
Immediately after the season completed, Hurley began shaping his roster for the 2025–2026 season. The news he received on Tuesday was a significant boost to the team’s progress.
NCAA March Madness on X posted the latest news, which has Dan Hurley and Huskies fans even more excited for the 2025-2026 season “Malachi Smith joins the Huskies. UConn officially announced the signing of their new transfer”
Smith, who has played three seasons of college basketball at Dayton, was a three-star prospect out of St. Raymond for Boys in the Bronx.
During the 2024-2025 season, Smith scored 10.4 points per game. He also dished out 5.3 assists and made 42.4% from the field.
The Flyers failed to reach the NCAA Tournament after falling in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Smith scored 13 points in his final game, a loss to Chattanooga in the second round of the NIT.
Smith is expected to provide support in the backcourt and offer veteran leadership for Hurley to work with. The Huskies will once again be among the favorites to win the Big East and contend for another national title.