UConn men’s basketball team’s newest 7-footer comes from Europe by way of Arkansas

Elmir Džafić, a 7-foot native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is transferring from Arkansas to UConn for his sophomore season. He’s known for his size and strength.

STORRS, Conn. — The UConn men’s basketball program continued its active offseason this week with the addition of a seven-footer from Europe.

Elmir Džafić will arrive in Storrs for his sophomore season after transferring from Arkansas, where spent a year under Hall of Fame head coach John Calipari.

Džafić has potential to be a powerful frontcourt threat. He must first develop.

This story continues below.

The native of Tinja, a rural community in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, caught the attention to two-time national champion UConn head coach Dan Hurley.

“Elmir is a big, strong, physical prospect who has high-major experience,” Hurley said on Tuesday. “We’re excited to add his size and strength to the frontcourt group.”

In his freshman year at Arkansas, Džafić only played in seven games, totaling three points, a rebound, a block and a steal.

That said, he has experience playing on the competitive European stage. Before his lone season in Fayetteville, Džafić played two years for KK Bosna Royal in Sarajevo in the BiH Liga, the top level in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During that stretch, he combined to appear in 17 games in 2023-24 and 2024-25, averaging 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 69.6% from the field.

Džafić made his debut in the First League of Republika Srpska in 2022-23 with Budućnost BN in Bileljina. There, he averaged 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25 games.

UConn’s newest big man has had more success on the international stage, as part of the Bosnian National Team at the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B.

In eight appearances that year, Džafić averaged a double-double with 13.1 points and 10 rebounds per game.

While he hasn’t had much experience on the court as a collegiate athlete, Džafić should have an immediate opportunity to compete for playing time in Storrs.

Following last season, the Huskies lost both of their big men.

After a historic NCAA Tournament, Tarris Reed Jr. ran out of eligibility and is moving onto the NBA. Meanwhile, former McDonald’s All-American Eric Reibe transferred out after his freshman year in favor of Southern California.

Hurley quickly added several pieces to secure more frontcourt depth.

Early in the transfer portal, he landed highly sought after big man Najai Hines, who played his freshman season at Seton Hall.

Then, the Huskies signed Oskar Giltay, a Belgian who played his freshman year at Stanford, where he earned recognition for his stout defense.

Despite those two additions, new roles have not yet been established, and Džafić will have a chance to be the backup big man.

When summer camp begins, Džafić may be the largest Husky on the practice floor.

Only time will tell if he can use that size to his advantage and find his way onto the court next winter when it counts.

Dalton Zbierski is a digital editor and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.

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