As UConn gears up for another season under Dan Hurley, the Huskies have added two final pieces, Rrezon Elezaj of Turkey and Uroš Paunovic of Serbia, to round out their 2025–26 roster.

Among the two newcomers, the one turning heads already is 18-year-old Elezaj, a 7-foot-1 center whose size and instincts make him one of the more intriguing prospects to join the Huskies in recent years.

Why Does Dan Hurley Find Potential in 18-Year-Old Big Man Rrezon Elezaj?

Elezaj competed for Besiktas in the U19 league and posted 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game.

His development with the Turkish youth national team has also sharpened his timing as a rim protector. For Hurley, it is not simply about what Elezaj is now but what he can become within UConn’s system.

“Rrezon is an interesting prospect, a true 7-footer, who just turned 18,” Hurley said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to bringing him into our program and getting to work on his development. He has really solid instincts and timing as a shot-blocker and is a legitimate lob threat in the ball-screen game.”

NEWS: 7’2 center Rrezon Elezaj has committed to UConn, a source told DraftExpress.

The Kosovan-born, Turkish national played at the FIBA U17 and U18 junior levels, spending this past season at Besiktas. High-major development piece with strong mobility and length. pic.twitter.com/sTvAsRCoLS

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 18, 2025

Hurley also pointed to Elezaj’s international background as another reason he is confident in the young center’s potential.

“Rrezon has experience coming through the ranks as a Turkish youth national team player, and we’re excited to add him to our group up front with Tarris, Eric, and Dwayne,” Hurley added.

With a core frontcourt already in place, Elezaj will not be asked to carry a heavy load right away. Instead, his role this season will center on learning and competing against UConn’s established rotation. The long-term potential, however, is what excites Hurley most.

How Does Serbian Guard Uroš Paunović Fit In UConn’s System?

At 22, Paunović brings the experience of four seasons in Serbia’s top professional league, most recently with KK Zlatibor, where he averaged 8.8 points and knocked down nearly 35 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

“Uroš is a guy we liked on film. He’s got a ton of experience as a 22-year-old; he’s been a starter professionally in the top division in Serbia, a 6-3 guard who’s pretty good with the ball, can shoot and pass, and plays with real emotion on the floor,” Hurley said. “We’re looking forward to having him join the Huskies.”

For Paunović, the path is not about star minutes but about raising the standard every day in practice. Matching up with a backcourt that is already among the deepest in the nation, his size and maturity give the Huskies a reliable option who can keep teammates sharp and be ready if his number is called.

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Together, Elezaj and Paunović may not define this season for UConn, but they represent what Hurley values most: competition, depth, and the balance of long-term growth with proven experience.