Virginia guard selects URI; 6-4 Connor Dubsky picks the Rams over three other schools
Timing is everything, right? That certainly proved to be the case for the University of Rhode Island in its pursuit of Virginia shooting guard Connor Dubsky.
The Rams hosted Dubsky for an unofficial visit in May and established an early connection. The next month saw him break out on the grassroots circuit, adding more than a dozen scholarship offers while starring in the backcourt for Prospects U.
It was that initial contact that ultimately won out on Friday. Dubsky announced his commitment to URI on his Instagram page, selecting the Rams ahead of fellow finalists George Mason, Kansas State and Maryland.
“It felt like it was the right place for me right off the bat — as soon as I stepped on campus,” Dubsky said. “It’s been a good recruiting process from them. They recruited the hell out of me and made me feel wanted at their school.”
Dubsky held a lone offer from Maine prior to seeing Kingston — his rise was a quick one. Low majors, including Bryant, started tracking the 6-foot-4 prospect that month and June brought the likes of Atlantic 10 rival George Washington, Rice and Wichita State. The Wildcats and Terrapins provided URI with a pair of late Power 5 threats, along with interest from Illinois, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
“My trainers were telling me it was going to come,” Dubsky said. “We didn’t need to worry about offers. Once you put the work in and you play, it will show.”
Rams assistant coach Kenny Johnson has been in contact with Dubsky since prior to his junior year of high school. Johnson was attempting to lure Dubsky to National Christian Academy, a prep power in suburban Maryland where Johnson served as head coach after time on four different college benches. Dubsky ultimately starred at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes in Virginia. Johnson and URI coach Archie Miller didn’t miss their man the second time around.
“Coach Miller told me everything I wanted to hear from a basketball perspective and a coach perspective,” Dubsky said. “It made it pretty easy.”
What Dubsky brings and another potential recruit
Dubsky averaged 19 points per game while putting up an elite shooting line during the DMV Live period in June — 51% from the floor, 43% from 3-point range and 92% at the foul line. URI sees him as a three-level scorer who can occasionally handle the ball and start the offense. Dubsky is the third commit in this class for the Rams, joining forwards KC Nwafor and Adrian Myers.
“The coaching staff has a lot of great history,” Dubsky said. “They’ve sent players to the NBA and overseas. That’s my dream. I want to get there as quick as possible, but I also want to take the time to develop my game into more of an all-around game.”
Dubsky will spend his final year nearby at Putnam Science, the Connecticut prep power that won a national championship in 2021-22. Kentucky commit Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso and Xavier commit Desmond Claude were among the contributors on that squad for the Mustangs. Dubsky will receive a daily test in practice and on game nights against strong opposition.
“The facilities aren’t the most expensive, but everybody in there has a chip on their shoulder and wants to get better,” Dubsky said. “They want to compete. That’s what made it an easy choice for me.”
The Rams remain a finalist for New Jersey guard Cam Estevez, who cut his list to six schools in early August. Conference rivals VCU and St. Bonaventure, Mississippi State, Central Florida and Miami (Ohio) are also vying for his services. Estevez hasn’t announced a timeline for his decision.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: University of Rhode Island men's basketball team lands another recruit
