Washington’s Hannes Steinbach Emerging as the Huskies’ Anchor Ahead of Big Ten Gauntlet
With just one nonconference game left before Big Ten play begins in earnest, the Washington Huskies are staring down a January schedule that’s about as unforgiving as it gets. But if there’s one reason for optimism in Seattle, it’s the breakout season of freshman forward Hannes Steinbach - a name that’s quickly becoming central to the Huskies’ hopes of dancing in March for the first time since 2019.
Washington (8-4 overall, 1-1 in Big Ten play) wraps up its nonconference slate on Dec. 29 against Utah at Alaska Airlines Arena. After that, the real test begins: four top-15 opponents in the first six conference games.
That stretch includes road matchups at No. 5 Purdue (Jan. 7) and No.
13 Nebraska (Jan. 21), plus home dates against No. 2 Michigan (Jan. 14) and No.
9 Michigan State (Jan. 17).
It’s a brutal stretch, no question - but also a massive opportunity.
And if the Huskies are going to navigate that stretch with a winning record, Steinbach will almost certainly be at the heart of it.
Despite missing time earlier in the season with an ankle sprain, the 6-foot-11 freshman from Germany has been Washington’s most consistent and impactful player. In the nine games he’s played, Steinbach is averaging 17.9 points on a scorching 59% shooting from the field.
He’s also pulling down 12.1 rebounds per game, dishing out 2.3 assists, and adding a block per contest. Simply put, he’s doing a little bit of everything - and doing it at a high level.
What’s made Steinbach’s emergence even more impressive is the way he’s bounced back from injury without missing a beat. His production hasn’t dipped, and his presence on the floor has elevated Washington on both ends.
He’s scored in double figures in every game he’s played and hasn’t had a single outing with fewer than six rebounds. That kind of consistency is rare for a freshman - let alone one adjusting to a new country, a new system, and the physical grind of high-major college basketball.
It’s no surprise, then, that Steinbach is starting to generate serious NBA Draft buzz. CBS Sports recently moved him up to No. 15 on their Big Board, and draft analyst Adam Finkelstein had high praise for the German big man during a recent conversation with Kyle Boone.
“This guy has been phenomenal coming back from the ankle injury,” Finkelstein said. “He’s putting up huge numbers - 6-foot-11 with about a 7-foot-1 wingspan.
Great hands, strong frame. He’s a phenomenal rebounder, especially on the offensive glass.
I think he’s got shooting potential, too. He’s hitting around 60% from three, though it’s on low volume.”
What stands out most in Steinbach’s game is his versatility. He’s not just a back-to-the-basket big.
He’s comfortable in the pick-and-roll, capable of slipping, short-rolling, and even playmaking when the defense collapses. His instincts are sharp, and his passing touch adds another layer to Washington’s offensive sets.
Finkelstein also pointed out how Steinbach fits into the evolving trend of double-big lineups - something that’s becoming more common in both college and the NBA. While he may not be a traditional rim protector at the five, his feel for the game and ability to operate in different roles makes him an intriguing frontcourt piece at the next level.
If Steinbach continues on this trajectory and hears his name called in the mid-first round, he’d be the highest Washington player selected since Isaiah Stewart II went 16th overall in 2020. And based on what we’ve seen so far, that projection doesn’t feel like a stretch.
For now, though, the focus remains on what’s ahead. Washington’s January schedule will be a proving ground - not just for Steinbach, but for a Huskies team trying to reestablish itself on the national stage. If they can hold their own against the Big Ten’s best, it’ll be because their freshman phenom continues to rise to the moment.
And if that happens, don’t be surprised if Steinbach’s name keeps climbing draft boards - and Washington keeps climbing the standings.