Hannes Steinbach wasted little time making his presence felt for the Charlotte Hornets in Summer League.
The former Washington forward turned in a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double as Charlotte rallied from 10 points down to beat the Orlando Magic 86-74. For a player drafted to help right away, especially on the glass and in pick-and-roll action, it was the kind of box score that fits the scouting report.
Steinbach’s strong showing came after a milestone night for Washington on June 23, when the 2026 NBA Draft ended a six-year drought for the program. Charlotte took Steinbach with the 14th overall pick, making him the final lottery selection in this year’s draft and Washington’s first first-round pick since 2020, when Jaden McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart both went in the opening round.
That draft slot came with expectations. Steinbach was viewed as someone who could step in and make an immediate impact, and his Summer League debut backed up that idea.
Huskies fans already know the formula. During his lone season in Montlake, Steinbach piled up double-doubles with regularity while carrying Washington in several statistical categories. The 6-foot-11 forward led the Huskies in both points and rebounds, averaging 18.5 points on 57.7% shooting, including 34% from 3-point range, across 30 games, all starts.
He also posted 11.8 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. That rebounding mark led the nation, and his 22 double-doubles tied for the most in the country. Cameron Boozer was the other player tied with Steinbach in that category, and Boozer went third overall in the 2026 draft out of Duke.
Steinbach’s run at Washington didn’t end with the finish anyone in the program wanted. The Huskies closed the year 16-17 and were knocked out by Wisconsin in the Big Ten postseason tournament.
Still, his impact reached beyond his own numbers. Washington has continued looking overseas for talent, and this offseason the Huskies picked up commitments from Brazilian forward Wini Braga, Australian guard Tristan Devers and Croatian forward Boris Tisma. Last year, while Steinbach was still on the roster, Washington also added Serbian forward Nikola Dzepina, who arrived in December and chose to return for next season.
In Other News...
Jacob Manu Is Suddenly Back At The Center Of Washington's Defense
Jacob Manu arrived at Washington with the kind of reputation that usually comes with a transfer expected to make an immediate difference, and the Huskies still see him that way heading into this season. The senior linebackers first year in Seattle never really got rolling because of injuries, but even in a limited sample he showed enough to remind Washington why he was such an appealing addition from Arizona.
Now Manu is back in the middle of a linebacker room that values both experience and steadiness, and the preseason recognition followed. Washington is counting on him not just for production, but for the kind of depth and leadership that can settle a defense over the course of a long season, especially after a year in which he spent far more time trying to get healthy than making plays. [Read more 🡒]