Jacksonville State guard Jaye Nash commits to UConn

JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 26: Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Jaye Nash (3) dribbles during the game between Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Detroit Mercy Titans on November 26, 2024 at Florida State College at Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Dan Hurley and his staff have one more piece for next season’s roster. They’ve landed a commitment from Jaye Nash, a 6-foot-3 guard from Jacksonville State after a visit this past week. The incoming junior started his career at Tulsa and transferred to JSU for his sophomore run.

Nash hails from Memphis, TN, where he was a three-star recruit on most recruiting outlets. Last year at Jacksonville State, he averaged 5.1 points and 4.0 assists in 25.7 minutes per game, appearing in 32 games and starting 15 for a Gamecock squad that finished tied for sixth in Conference USA. He scored in double figures six times, including five consecutive games in February and a career-high 19 points against Kennesaw State.

Nash is a pass-first guard who dished out 129 assists last season. He only attempted 35 threes, so is not a big threat from deep, but Nash is expected to compete for minutes at the backup point guard spot with Junior County behind Silas Demary Jr. He appears likely to slide into the Alec Millender role from last season, playing in emergency situations and serving as an experienced player at the end of the bench.

Nash joins fellow transfers Na’Jai Hines, Nik Khamenia, Oskar Giltay, and Nils Machowski in what’s looking like a loaded class coming in to try and get back to the Final Four for a fourth time in five years. With the two freshmen and five returners, UConn has three roster spots left to fill with summer practices starting in June.