Andre Jackson met former UConn star Ray Allen and Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun during his first visit to the Storrs campus.

It made quite an impression on Jackson, who ended up committing to the Huskies.

Now he hopes to make a big impact in his first season with the program.

"It's electric being on campus, seeing the (national championship) banners hung up on the wall and seeing the different players who came through here and really made an impact and left a legacy," said Jackson during a Zoom call last week. "I feel like the nostalgia here is just as good or greater than any program in the country.

"... I feel like every day just coming in here all the nostalgia definitely creates a lot of motivation for me and I'm sure for everybody else."

Jackson, fellow freshmen Adama Sanogo and Javonte Brown, and transfer Tyrese Martin are about to embark on their first season at UConn. Redshirt freshman Richie Springs and transfer R.J. Cole also will be on the uniform for the first time after sitting out a season.

They're on a mission to help return the program to elite status.

UConn's roster is well-stocked with talent as it makes its much anticipated return to the Big East. The Huskies will hold their first official practice on Friday.

"I definitely know what to expect and know how tough these teams are," Martin said of the Big East. "I feel like coming in with the group that we have, we're right in the mix for the top of the league based on what we have right now."

Martin and the three freshmen took different paths to UConn.

A 6-foot-6 guard, Martin went the transfer route after spending two seasons at Rhode Island where he played a significant role, averaging 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds as a starter last season. He received a waiver from the NCAA last month, making him eligible to play right away for coach Dan Hurley.

He knew he wasn't in Kingston anymore after arriving in Storrs. He found out that he'll be playing under a much brighter spotlight.

"Being at UConn, it's a higher level obviously so I have to do things differently," Martin said. "The expectations are greater and higher from the coaching staff standpoint, so I feel like now it's just all about doing what I have to do on the court and off the court to excel and help the team be successful."

Jackson, an athletic 6-6 guard out of Albany Academy in New York, is the marquee recruit in the incoming class. He's working his way back from minor knee surgery that he underwent "four to five months" ago.

"It was a meniscus injury but I'm basically fully back now playing," Jackson said. "It's a minor surgery. I'm feeling good about it and not feeling that much pain anymore so I'm ready to get back into it."

Jackson, who arrived on campus in June, feels right at home at UConn.

"I feel like the adjustment has been going pretty good," Jackson said. "It's taught me how to get into a routine and really take basketball as a job. Being around coach Hurley and the other coaches really is inspiring, seeing their passion for the game."

UConn improved its frontcourt depth with the addition of Sanogo and Brown.

Sanogo, a 6-9 forward out of the Patrick School in New Jersey, became familiar with UConn through Kassoum Yakwe, who spent one injury plagued season in Storrs in 2018-19. They're both from Mali.

"Through him, I knew UConn," Sanogo said. "Back in 2018, coach Kimani (Young) started to recruit me. So, since that moment, I learned a lot of stuff about UConn. I like it here."

Brown, the only 7-footer on the roster, is a promising but young — he turned 18 in September — big man. He hails from Toronto.

Both freshmen join a frontcourt that includes returning veterans Josh Carlton, Isaiah Whaley, Akok Akok and Tyler Polley. Both hope to contribute in any way they can.

"Each of us brings a different type of element to the game," Brown said. "For me, I just want to do what coach wants me to do. I think I bring my length because we don't really have a true 7-footer on the frontcourt."

The Huskies are preparing for a college basketball season that is scheduled to start on Nov. 25. They'll play 20 Big East games but have yet to release their schedule.

UConn will compete in the Legends Classic, originally scheduled to be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in November, at the Mohegan Sun. The two-day event, which also will feature USC, Vanderbilt and BYU, is set for Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. Each team will play two games. Matchups and times have yet to be announced.

g.keefe@theday.com