The Washington Huskies men’s basketball program isn’t just building a roster - it’s building a foundation. Since Danny Sprinkle took the reins ahead of the 2024 season, Washington has been on a recruiting tear, and the early returns are more than promising. Sprinkle and his staff are showing they’re not just here to compete - they’re here to win, and they’re doing it by locking down local talent and expanding their reach globally.
Let’s start with the class already in the building. The Huskies landed a major in-state prize with Zoom Diallo, a top-30 national recruit and Tacoma native. That kind of get in Sprinkle’s first cycle sent a message: Washington is serious about keeping elite talent close to home.
But the momentum didn’t stop there. This year’s freshman class includes a pair of intriguing international forwards - Hannes Steinbach from Germany and Nikola Dzepina from Serbia - along with four-star point guard J.J.
Mandaquit, a high-IQ floor general with the tools to lead from day one. It’s a balanced haul that reflects a broader recruiting strategy: blend local, national, and international talent to build a versatile, competitive roster.
Now, Washington’s sights are set even higher.
According to multiple reports, the Huskies are making moves for two of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 and 2027 classes. One of those names?
Tyran Stokes - the No. 1 player in the 2026 class and a 6-foot-7, 230-pound force of nature out of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. That’s right in Washington’s backyard.
Stokes had reportedly narrowed his list down to Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas as of Nov. 1, and Washington hadn’t officially entered the mix at that point. But don’t count the Huskies out just yet. With the hometown connection and a coaching staff that’s already proven it can close, Washington could still make things interesting.
On Dec. 16, Huskies assistant Quincy Pondexter and Kentucky assistant Jason Hart were both courtside for Rainier Beach’s 100-72 win over Seattle Prep - and Stokes put on an absolute show.
He dropped 52 points and grabbed 11 boards, reminding everyone why he’s the top-ranked player in the country. The Crystal Ball at 247Sports still leans Kentucky, but the Huskies’ presence in the gym speaks volumes.
And while Sprinkle wasn’t at that game, he wasn’t far away - literally or figuratively. That same day, he was in the stands watching another elite local prospect: Jalen Davis, a five-star combo guard from Bremerton High School.
Davis is ranked No. 18 nationally in the 2027 class, the second-best combo guard in the country, and the top player in Washington. He’s also the Huskies’ top in-state target, according to SeaTown Sports.
Davis didn’t disappoint either. He poured in 28 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in Bremerton’s 71-42 win over Bainbridge Island.
The kid’s a stat sheet stuffer with the kind of two-way versatility that coaches dream about. Washington has already extended an offer, but they’re not alone - Oregon, Houston, Gonzaga, Stanford, USC, and Seattle U are all in the mix.
What’s clear is this: Washington is building something real. The staff is prioritizing local stars, tapping into international pipelines, and showing up where it matters. That kind of presence - and persistence - can pay huge dividends down the line.
In a college basketball landscape that’s more chaotic than ever, especially with the move to the Big Ten, the Huskies are positioning themselves to not just survive, but thrive. Sprinkle’s first recruiting classes are setting the tone. If they can continue to land top-tier talent from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, Washington could become a serious player on the national stage.
The foundation is being laid - and it’s starting to look rock solid.