UConn men rebuilding team after transfer-portal losses

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The UConn men's program, which has lost six players with remaining eligibility this offseason, has added guard Tristen Newton, a transfer from East Carolina.

The 6-foot-5 rising senior averaged 17.7 points, five assists, and 4.8 rebounds for the Pirates last season. He will have two remaining years of eligibility thanks to the extra year granted to those were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

His arrival comes the same week guard Corey Floyd Jr., who sat out last season as a redshirt freshman after arriving early to UConn, announced he would be leaving the school and entering the transfer portal.

Floyd joins freshman guard Rahsool Diggins, junior guard Jalen Gaffney and junior forward Akok Akok as former Huskies in the portal.

Guards R.J. Cole and Tyrese Martin, who could have returned for another season under the COVID-19 rules, decided to pursue professional careers. Their departures were expected.

UConn coach Dan Hurley planned to hold a media availability Thursday afternoon to discuss the roster changes for a program that went 23-10, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to New Mexico State.

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