Southern Connecticut State University men’s basketball coach Scott Burrell is leveraging his deep UConn ties and local connections to build a championship-caliber team. A former UConn standout and NBA first-round pick, Burrell has infused his current Southern roster with players linked to his past — including transfer guard Justice Ellison, son of former UConn teammate Shawn Ellison, and forward Cherif Diarra, brother of former UConn guard Hassan Diarra.
Burrell’s strong relationships have helped Southern attract high-performing talent like Ellison, the Northeast-10 Conference’s leading scorer the past two seasons, and Diarra, a versatile forward known for his grit and leadership. Both are expected to play pivotal roles as the Owls chase their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years.
A Hamden native and lifelong Connecticut resident, Burrell is passionate about keeping talent in state. Five players on this season’s roster hail from Connecticut, including Jared Coleman (New Haven), Christian McClease (New Haven), and Kazell Stewart (East Hartford). McClease, a sophomore named team captain, earned NE-10 All-Rookie honors last season.
Burrell’s vision for Southern echoes his own college experience: building pride, chemistry, and success by playing for your teammates and your state. “Playing in your home state is different,” Burrell said. “It helped me get the job I have now, and it has helped me throughout life.”
