Akok Akok eager to make his return
STORRS, Conn. - Akok Akok just needed a break.
After a grueling rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, which he suffered in February 2020, it was time to get away from basketball.
So after school finished up in May, Akok went back to New Hampshire to spend some time with his family.
Akok is now back on campus with the rest of the UConn men's basketball team, ready to complete his comeback journey and show the Big East just what kind of player he can be.
“I feel amazing compared to how I felt back in March,” Akok said. “My body feels incredible, I feel much healthier.
"I think it happened once I went home back in May, that was a real turnaround,” he added. “This summer is the most where I felt I’m back and stronger than I’ve ever been.”
That was not the case last season when Akok tried to rush back from the injury, which usually takes 18 months to recover.
“Before there was pain like after workouts, but now I don’t have to deal with the pain anymore,” Akok said.
Even though UConn was rolling by the end of the season and headed to its first Big East Tournament and NCAAs, Akok had to be a spectator because his leg just wasn’t ready.
“It was difficult, I love to play the game of basketball, suiting up every game and playing,” he said. “But, you just have to trust the process with this injury."
Throughout the wait, UConn head coach Dan Hurley kept reminding Akok to “stay the course.”
“It was going to be a tough rehabilitation but if you come and work every day he promised he’s going to get me back to where I was, 100 percent where I was before the injury,” Akok said.
Akok's return gives the Huskies a loaded frontcourt with fifth-year senior Isaiah Whaley, sophomore Adama Sanogo, and freshman Samson Johnson, along with redshirt sophomore, Richie Springs.
“It’s very competitive, it’s a battle every single day,” Akok said. “Everybody in the frontcourt is trying to prove themselves.
While Johnson is taking part in his first summer workouts, Akok has been impressed with him.
“Samson is very ready,” Akok said. “He can do it on both ends, that's what I have seen out of him the most right now. ... He’s shooting it well, shooting the 3 and protecting the rim - he reminds me a lot of myself.”
The Huskies are hopeful to have the old Akok back in the fold to build on last year's breakthrough season. Junior Jalen Gaffney might have the best read on the big man since the two are rooming together this summer.
“I’ve seen his progression,” Gaffney said. “I’ve seen when he was hurt, when he was down on himself. ... I see him now getting back to his form, which we saw his freshman year.”
The only exception is this year’s Akok is much more chiseled than he was as a freshman. He credits that to working with two strength and conditioning coaches, who not only worked with him to get stronger but also taught him how to eat properly.
He's hoping to show a new and improved version of himself to the college basketball world.
“I am very thankful that I am back and that I can play basketball again,” he said. “You guys don’t understand how much basketball really means to me.”