In a season where the Washington Huskies have been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, one bright spot has emerged - and he's not just making noise in Seattle. Freshman forward Hannes Steinbach is turning heads across the country, and now he’s officially on the radar for one of college basketball’s top honors: the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award.
Steinbach, a 6-foot-10 German big man, has been named one of 10 finalists for the award, which recognizes the top center in Division I men’s basketball. That’s elite company - past winners include names like Frank Kaminsky, Jakob Poeltl, Luka Garza, and Zach Edey. And while Steinbach is just getting started, he’s already making a case to be mentioned in the same breath.
Despite missing three games earlier this season with an ankle sprain, Steinbach has been a mainstay in the Huskies’ starting lineup. And in a year where Washington has struggled to stay healthy - only Zoom Diallo and Franck Kepnang have suited up for all 22 games - Steinbach’s presence in the paint has been a stabilizing force.
With 10 different Huskies appearing on the injury report at some point, availability has been half the battle. Steinbach has brought that, and then some.
His numbers tell the story: 17.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 1.6 assists, and a steal per game - all while shooting a highly efficient 53.7% from the field. His scoring and rebounding both lead the team, and his 11.5 boards per game are the highest among the 10 finalists for the Abdul-Jabbar Award.
The most recent example of his dominance came in Washington’s 84-74 loss to Iowa on Feb. 4, where Steinbach dropped 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds - his 15th double-double of the season. That performance not only set a new program record for most double-doubles by a freshman, but it also gave him the second-most double-doubles in the nation this year. For a first-year player adjusting to the physicality and pace of the college game, that’s more than impressive - it’s rare.
And the accolades aren’t just about numbers. Steinbach’s skill set is tailor-made for the modern game.
He’s mobile, has soft hands around the rim, and plays with a motor that doesn’t quit. He’s not just cleaning the glass - he’s initiating offense, protecting the rim, and showing flashes of a versatile two-way game that NBA scouts are already circling on their draft boards.
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, presented by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame since 2014, is one of five positional awards in college basketball. This year’s watchlist includes some of the most promising big men in the country: Motiejus Krivas (Arizona), Alex Condon (Florida), Flory Bidunga (Kansas), Aday Mara (Michigan), Rienk Mast (Nebraska), Henri Veesaar (North Carolina), Oscar Cluff (Purdue), Zuby Ejiofor (St.
John's), and Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn).
But among that group, Steinbach stands out - not just for his rebounding edge, but for how central he’s been to a Huskies team fighting to find its footing.
Washington enters its upcoming matchup with UCLA holding a 12-11 overall record and a 4-8 mark in Big Ten play. It’s been an uphill battle, no doubt. But Steinbach’s emergence gives the Huskies something to build around - and gives fans a reason to keep tuning in.
The next chance to see him in action comes Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. PT, when Washington travels to Pauley Pavilion to take on UCLA. For Steinbach, it’s another opportunity to make his case - not just for the award, but for a future that looks increasingly bright.