Jonathan Mandeldove is in his senior year as a Center for the UConn Huskies.  He grew up watching the National Basketball Association (NBA) Chicago Bulls win championship after championship in the 1990’s and wanted to be like Bull’s player Scottie Pippen, not Michael Jordan.  “I loved the game of basketball, and Scottie Pippen was my role model.”

Jonathan remembered the game last season beating the Indiana Hoosiers on the road at Indiana as the best memory so far.  “That was a really good game.  It felt like it was the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament in early January.

He made his decision to play for UConn based on the history of UConn, and the players UConn produces.  “I was sold on the quality of the players, the coaching staff, and the environment here at UConn.”

When he arrived at UConn, Jonathan didn’t find the transition from high school to college much of a problem.  “It took me a while to learn the plays, and get into the flow of the college game, but I have no problem giving the reigns from being ‘the man’ in high school to being a team player.  I’ve always been a team player.”

Final Four Bound:  “I think we have the pieces to get to the NCAA Final Four.  It’s going to take hard work, sticking together playing as a team, and doing what coach preaches to us, and we’re going to be fine.”