UConn Moves on Top Ivy League Transfer Target

Things move fast in the portal world. Pierce has already taken a trip to Duke, and the next stop could shift the race. Luckily, that next stop is in Storrs. Pierce has had calls from 20 schools. Talking to the Daily Princetonian, Pierce even said, “These are the schools you dream of going to when you’re in high school … now that I’m having this experience, it’s a cool, full circle moment.”

Now, as he moves to the decision phase, Pierce is looking for two things in particular. As Pierce himself puts it, “I want to go to a program that’s going to continue to win a lot of games, potentially maybe win a national championship. I want to continue to go to a program that’s going to develop me and push me to be the best player I can be, because I want to keep playing basketball as long as I can, ideally at the NBA level.”

Who is Caden Pierce, and why does Dan Hurley want him?

To understand why every program is chasing Pierce, one can start with his trophy shelf. He is the 2023–24 Ivy League Player of the Year, a Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American, a Karl Malone Watch List candidate, and already one of Princeton’s most productive players ever.

Pierce has posted 1,000+ points and 700+ rebounds in just three seasons. On the court, Pierce does everything Hurley loves. He rebounds like a forward who thinks every loose ball belongs to him. And he’s one of the only underclassmen in 30 years to average at least 16 points and 9 boards per game.

While he is brilliant as a player, there are doubts about how well we could do if he jumps from the Ivy League to the Power 4 leagues. There are, of course, players who have done well making that jump. Yale’s Danny Wolf thrived at Michigan and went on to become a first-round pick. Penn’s Tyler Perkins and Harvard’s Malik Mack are also doing quite well.

However, there are names like Princeton teammate Xavian Lee, who has struggled to adjust, at Florida. Yet this situation feels different. Pierce is in his physical prime and healthy again after a tough ankle injury.

And he is motivated by two things Hurley can offer in abundance: winning and development. Additionally, with Alex Karaban likely off to the NBA, Pierce might be looking at more minutes on the hardcourt.

Don't forget to bookmark UConn Huskies on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

• QB Becomes Sixth UConn Decommit Since Jim Mora's Exit
• Dan Hurley Warns UConn About Kansas’ Flory Bidunga Threat
• UConn Overshadowed in First NET Rankings of 2025-26
• UConn HC Reveals Biggest Challenge Against Illinois
• UConn Loses Key OT As Jim Mora Fallout Continues