Huskies hit the links to support the squad
A collection of former players, current players, coaches, and supporters of UConn men’s basketball gathered at the Greenwich Country Club on Monday for the first-ever Bleeding Blue for Good Legends Golf outing. In total, just under 100 golfers participated and, along with a silent and live auction, the event raised over six-figures for the team’s NIL fund.
Former players in attendance included Rudy Gay, Emeka Okafor, Kentan Facey, Scott Burrell, Ray Allen, and Jeff Calhoun. Burrell won the Legends bracket while Allen delivered a strong performance as well. Okafor was playing his second-ever round of golf and Facey is still working on his (golf) game, sharing that he’s in Europe 10 months out of the year playing hoops professionally.
Assistant coaches Tom Moore and Luke Murray, along with his father Bill, were also playing. The coaches had just been on the recruiting trail, with plans to head to Europe for the U18 Eurobasket in Finland soon. Murray shared that Moore is the best golfer on the coaching staff.
Attendees received complimentary Titleist wedges and Dormie headcovers, customized with the UConn logo and their names. The shotgun start was preceded by a lovely luncheon at the Greenwich Country Club and a sumptuous barbecue banquet followed the round of golf, along with live music and a cigar bar. The two NCAA championship trophies were in attendance as well, as Bleeding Blue for Good wrapped up another important night for the program.
Near the end of the golfing, four players also arrived to enjoy the festivities. Alex Karaban brought three newcomers, Aidan Mahaney, Tarris Reed, and Liam McNeeley, for introductions to the assembled crowd.
Murray shared that Mahaney committed to UConn during his visit to Storrs, but had to go on his visit to Kentucky anyway despite being committed to the Huskies, and that McNeeley, a top-10-ranked, five-star recruit, was compelled to de-commit from Indiana because it went worse than 300th in three-point attempts. He also shared that head coach Dan Hurley had nicknamed McNeeley “Larry Bird” as they noticed him at a grassroots event where they were watching Solo Ball, Jayden Ross, and Jaylin Stewart.
A few items up for auction included behind-the-bench tickets to the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden, behind-the-scenes opportunities at an XL or Gampel game, and dinner with a coach at one of their favorite local spots. As a surprise, Ray Allen offered up a signed pair of his game-worn Jordans from the 2014 NBA Finals.
Allen also delivered a message to the current UConn players about the lifelong bond created by Husky basketball. Monday’s event and its success in supporting the team while also providing an extraordinary experience for the fans is a powerful testament to that sentiment.