Kassoum Yakwe, the latest recruit to join the UConn men's basketball program, considers himself a high energy player.

UConn's Dan Hurley coaches with the intensity of a blazing Sahara Desert sun.

"It will be a great fit," Yakwe said on Tuesday.

An athletic 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward, Yakwe will earn his undergraduate graduate degree from St. John's. He's the second graduate transfer and third recruit to commit to UConn since Sunday. He visited last weekend along with graduate transfer Tarin Smith, a guard out of Duquesne, and guard Brendan Adams, who both ended up picking the Huskies on Sunday.

Talking to Hurley during his visit convinced Yakwe, a native of Mali, that Storrs will be the next stop in his basketball journey.

"It was a big decision for me," Yakwe said on Tuesday. "I visited UConn the past couple of days. I watched them practice and then had a chance to talk to coach Hurley. I like what he does. He's willing to work his guys and put them in position where they can be successful.

"... I like his passion about everything he does. He wants to win. I want to be coached by a guy who loves winning and who can push me to be great."

Yakwe had a bumpy playing career at St. John's. As a freshman, he showed great promise, making the All-Big East rookie team. He led the conference in blocks with 66 and averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds while appearing in 26 games, starting 16.

But he never reached that level again. His role was reduced under coach Chris Mullin. Last season, Yakwe played just 11.8 minutes per game despite St. John's being short-handed and averaged just 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 24 games.

Yakwe looks forward to a fresh start at UConn.

"I've been through some ups and downs," Yakwe said. "But now I just want to move forward. That's why I made a decision to transfer."

Yakwe appears to be a Hurley-type player.

Playing defense is Yakwe's strength. He says he loves running the floor, blocking shots and rebounding.

Offensively, he's yet to break out. He took only 35 shots from the floor last season, making 16, or 45.7 percent. He didn't attempt a 3-pointer. He did improve from the foul line, sinking 71.4 percent (20-for-28).

"I have offensive skills," Yakwe said. "I just want to keep working on that. I need to develop. I feel like I can add that to my game and be more successful. ... I always feel I have something to prove. People only see me as a defensive player. I can play both ends of the floor."

Hurley got a sneak peak at what Yakwe can do in 2016 when Rhode Island played St. John's in a closed scrimmage.

At UConn, Yakwe, who attended Our Savior New American High School on Long Island, will be reunited with former AAU teammate Christian Vital.

"I know him pretty well," Yakwe said. "Christian is a great guy and a great player who loves winning and also will help me."

Yakwe will join a young frontcourt rotation with seven returning players, including St. John's transfer Sidney Wilson who will be eligible to play next season.

With the three new incoming players, the UConn coaching staff has used up all of its available scholarships for next season.

g.keefe@theday.com