UConn is making moves on the transfer front, and one of the most intriguing names in the portal is headed to Storrs for a visit. Caden Pierce, the 6-foot-7 forward from Princeton and the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year, is reportedly set to be on campus Tuesday as he explores his options for his final year of eligibility.
Pierce didn’t suit up this season, choosing instead to focus on finishing his economics degree at Princeton. But make no mistake - this is a high-level player with a proven track record.
During his sophomore campaign, he averaged 16.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, anchoring the Tigers on both ends of the floor. He’s not just a stat-sheet filler; he’s a physical, versatile forward who plays with a high motor and brings a mature, polished game that would fit nicely into a contender’s rotation.
And that’s exactly what Pierce is looking for - a chance to compete at the highest level in his final collegiate season. He’s already visited Duke and Purdue, two programs with serious national title aspirations, and both are believed to be heavily in the mix.
Gonzaga and Louisville are also expected to get visits. Now, UConn is throwing its hat into the ring, and it makes sense why.
The Huskies are no strangers to reloading with experienced talent. With a strong recruiting pipeline and a culture built on winning, UConn offers the kind of competitive environment that could appeal to a player like Pierce - someone who’s already done the Ivy League grind and is looking to make a leap into the national spotlight.
Pierce’s basketball pedigree runs deep. He’s the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce and the son of two former Division I athletes at Northwestern.
Athleticism and competitiveness run in the family, and that shows in his game. He first made waves as a freshman during Princeton’s Sweet 16 run in 2022-23, where he averaged 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds and showed a knack for rising to the occasion.
His sophomore season was his breakout, and even though his numbers dipped slightly the following year - 11.2 points, 7.2 boards, and 3.2 assists - he remained a key contributor and a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
As for UConn, the timing of Pierce’s visit is interesting. The Huskies open Big East play Tuesday night against Butler at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. It’s unclear whether Pierce will be in the building for the game, but the energy around the program will certainly be on full display.
Looking ahead, UConn already has two highly touted high school recruits lined up for the 2026-27 season: Colben Landrew, a 6-foot-6 four-star wing, and Junior County, a 6-foot-4 four-star guard. Both are consensus top-40 prospects, and adding a veteran like Pierce to that mix could be a savvy move - blending youth with experience in a way that championship teams often do.
The Huskies are clearly building something with staying power. Whether Pierce becomes part of that next chapter remains to be seen, but his visit signals UConn’s intent to stay aggressive in the transfer market and keep their foot on the gas.