Former Husky Gaffney relishing Florida Atlantic's run to Final Four

Mar. 31—HOUSTON — When Jalen Gaffney transferred from the UConn men's basketball team to Florida Atlantic after the 2021-22 season, he never dreamed a matchup with the Huskies in the national championship game would be a possibility.

Heck, he didn't even think the Owls making the Final Four would be a possibility.

"I knew we were going to be a good team for sure," the junior guard said. "They had a lot of guys coming back and we have a great coaching staff. So, I knew we were going to be a good team, I knew we could definitely go for a conference championship, I knew we could probably make the NCAA Tournament. But to get this far, it's crazy. I don't really think any of us thought we could do this. But we're here now."

But before the matchup against his former team can happen though, Gaffney and the Owls (35-3) have to get past San Diego State in the national semifinals tonight (6:09 p.m., CBS).

"The possibility is there," Gaffney said. "But they still have to beat Miami, we still have to beat San Diego State. There's a chance to play. It would be cool, but I haven't really been focusing on that."

Gaffney (6-foot-3) spent the first three seasons of his career with the Huskies. He played in 87 games at UConn and averaged 4.5 points in 16.8 minutes per game.

He said that Florida Atlantic was the only school he took an official visit to after entering the transfer portal in March 2022.

"I think the team that they had, the coaches," Gaffney said on what caught his interest. "I give a lot of credit to them. They really developed our players and they really care for the players as well."

The Columbus, New Jersey native has played in 37 games for the Owls, making 23 starts. He's averaging 4.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.

"There's three or four guys on our roster that don't get a lot of the spotlight because their numbers aren't what some of the other guys' numbers are," Owls coach Dusty May said. "Jalen Gaffney has brought a calming presence. He's brought an IQ and knowledge to our team.

"We're grateful he joined us because when he came in we said we had every single guard back in addition to Nick Boyd. We can't guarantee or promise anything. And him and his family both said: 'Whatever I earn, that's what I earn, and I just want to be a part of something that you guys are building.' "

In the NCAA Tournament, Gaffney is averaging 1.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists through four games.

He feels his NCAA experience at UConn — the Huskies played in the tournament in each of his final two seasons — helped him during this run.

"Even just playing at UConn, we played a lot of high-major schools," Gaffney said. "The Big East was a tough league. So just having that experience under my belt definitely helped me out and helped the team out as well."

He knows nothing will come easy against the Aztecs.

"They're a bigger team, very physical," Gaffney said. "They usually play two bigs at a time, so it will be hard rebounding for sure. They play a lot like us on the defensive end. Just physical, they rebound the ball very well. I think they average like 15 second-chance points a game, so limiting that will definitely help us."

Though he could potentially see his former player in the title game, UConn coach Dan Hurley is proud of what Gaffney has accomplished this season.

"Thrilled for Jalen, thrilled for his family that it's played out so great and that he's had such a successful season," Hurley said. "I have a lot of appreciation and gratitude towards Jalen, because just like the (James) Bouknights, and Isaiah Whaleys and Tyler Polleys and Akok Akoks, everyone, Christian Vital and Jaylen Adams, (Gaffney is) a huge reason why we're here as a program. He helped us build the culture and begin to have success. And Jalen, I'll always be grateful to him for what he's done."

Having the respect of his former coach means the world to Gaffney.

"It's great," he said. "Coach Hurley is a great coach. I just need somewhere else and I needed a fresh start. Nothing against Coach Hurley, UConn or any of them. I still love those guys. I think we kind of built a great foundation there. R.J. (Cole) is a great player, James Bouknight, Tyrese (Martin), I could go through all of them. I still keep in contact with all of those guys. But I think it's great that he said that."

For coverage of UConn football and men's basketball as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.