Courtland Muldrew Steps Up as Huskies Battle Through Injury-Riddled Season
The Washington Huskies have been in survival mode this season - and the injury report reads more like a starting lineup than a sideline update. With five key players sidelined in their recent 76-66 loss to No.
7 Nebraska, Washington has been forced to dig deep into its roster. And that’s where freshman guard Courtland Muldrew comes in.
Muldrew wasn’t supposed to be in the mix this early. A four-star recruit in the class of 2025, the original plan was to redshirt him, give him a year to adjust, develop, and learn the system. But injuries don’t care about plans, and the Huskies have had no choice but to burn that redshirt and throw Muldrew into the fire.
To this point, his role had been small - eight appearances in 19 games, never playing more than 11 minutes or taking more than four shots in a single outing. But against Nebraska, with the roster depleted and the team searching for answers, Muldrew got his moment.
And he made the most of it.
Logging a season-high 26 minutes, Muldrew brought energy and poise to the floor. He finished with five points on 2-of-5 shooting, grabbed four rebounds, handed out three assists, and added a block. But the box score doesn’t tell the full story.
What stood out was his presence - the way he attacked the paint, stayed aggressive, and helped shift the tempo when Washington desperately needed a spark.
“I loved how [Muldrew] competed,” head coach Danny Sprinkle said after the game. “He got the ball to the paint in the first half when we were struggling to get past guys... Just his aggressiveness and competitive spirit, I thought it really changed the game for us.”
Sprinkle also pointed out that Muldrew and freshman Zoom Diallo were the only two players in the first half who consistently penetrated Nebraska’s defense, forcing them to collapse and opening up opportunities.
That kind of impact doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet, but it’s exactly what this battered Huskies squad needs right now - someone who can bring energy, make smart decisions, and hold his own against top-tier competition.
The Huskies’ injury list remains long. Jasir Rencher, Lathan Sommerville, Wesley Yates III, Mady Traore, and Desmond Claude all missed the Nebraska game.
Hannes Steinbach and Bryson Tucker have also missed multiple games this season. That’s a lot of talent in street clothes.
There is some good news: Sprinkle expects Yates to return for the upcoming matchup against Oregon on Jan. 25. Rencher’s status remains uncertain, which could mean another extended run for Muldrew.
Washington heads into that game sitting at 10-9 overall and 2-6 in Big Ten play. It’s been a tough stretch, no doubt. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that players like Muldrew are getting valuable experience - and showing they belong.
He wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan this season. Now, he just might be part of the solution.