The old Big East is long gone, but things are just starting to heat up between Syracuse, UConn, and Georgetown for one of the nation’s top recruits. All three schools are pursuing arguably the best player available in New England for the Class of 2019 in 6-foot-9 forward Akok Akok, who ranks 35th in the nation.

Akok’s stock skyrocketed – he entered the year ranked 92nd in Rivals’ ratings - over the summer playing with his AAU Mass Rivals squad following a prep championship season at Putnam Science Academy.

The Orange, Huskies, and Hoyas top the list for Akok, who enters his postgraduate year at Putnam with Providence, Maryland, Texas Tech and Pittsburgh also in the mix.

“With my recruiting, I just kept it short and simple,” Akok said.

“I just showed love to the schools that have been there since the beginning.”

Jim Boeheim’s Orange are one of those schools that targeted Akok early on and have stuck with him. The Syracuse head coach along with assistant Gerry McNamara made watching Akok a priority over the summer.

However, Akok has yet to pick a school or even cut his final list to five – which is expected to happen any day – so other schools are in the hunt.

Former Husky head coach Kevin Ollie started looking at Akok back in 2016 with an unofficial visit to campus taking place in October of that year.

Since Danny Hurley took over the program in March, that interest in Akok has grown, starting with re-offering him. The star forward even took an unofficial visit in June to Storrs, Conn.

UConn already made a splash in its 2019 recruiting class on Wednesday with the addition of shooting guard James Bouknight, a 4-star guard from MacDuffie School. The Huskies still have at least four spots to fill for next season.

“They are great coaches,” Akok said of Hurley and his staff. “They are young, and they are hungry. They are playing for a national championship and there’s nothing better than that.”

Hurley and assistant Tom Moore were in to watch Akok again as recently as Tuesday at Putnam Science Academy.

“Just talking to (Hurley), he’s a great coach,” Akok said. “He’s going to push you every day. He’s going to be with you.”

Topping Akok’s list for what he is looking for from a college is the relationship with the head coach.

“It’s the most important thing,” he said. “You need a guy like that who is going to make you better every day, every time you step on the floor whether it’s in practice or the game's situations.”

When pressed on who he might take official visits with, Akok said Georgetown and UConn but offered no timetable on his decision.

“I just want to be careful and pick the right school,” he said.

Since arriving at Putnam Science Academy as a sophomore, Akok has worked hard to develop into a complete player.

In addition to being a shot blocker and strong defender, he’s added 3-point shooting to his repertoire and ball handling, which he worked on over the summer.

“He’s unique anyway – how many guys do you know that their two biggest strengths are shooting 3s and blocking shots?” Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa said. “It’s crazy.

“The kid could be a pro.”

Akok’s success on the floor didn’t just happen overnight. Just like setting a goal the previous year of becoming a better 3-point shooter, Akok worked hard to become a better ball-handler at Putnam and Mass Rivals this past season.

He’s also started to fill out by adding some muscle to his long, lean frame.

“This summer I felt like I got better at putting the ball on the floor,” he said. “I feel like I am a way better rim protector – those are some of the things I want to contribute this year. The number one thing I want to do is create more for my teammates.”

Akok has a couple of connections at UConn with another PSA forward, Mamadou Diarra, who’s entering his sophomore season, and senior point guard Jalen Adams. The latter’s relationship with Akok dates to his days playing for Mass Rivals, but Adams will be gone before Akok every gets there.

“(Akok) has come a long way in three years on and off the court,” Espinosa said. “He looks taller, he’s definitely bigger and stronger.

“His game is so much better – he can put the ball on the floor and his much more confident handling the ball, pressure.”