Fall Recruiting Roundup for Huskies’ Men’s Hoops

The results have not been there for the Washington Huskies’ men’s basketball program, sitting near the bottom of the Big Ten standings each of the past two seasons and continuing a prolonged March Madness drought in the process. Despite the lack of on-court success, however, head coach Danny Sprinkle has still been remarkably successful on the recruiting trail.

In his first year, Sprinkle landed two four-star recruits, according to the 247Sports Composite: local star Zoom Diallo (No. 42) and California product Jase Butler (No. 113).

In his second year, Sprinkle signed four-star recruits J.J. Mandaquit (No. 52), Hannes Steinbach (No. 68), Jasir Rencher (No. 125), and Courtland Muldrew (No. 128).

This year, now entering his third season, Washington signed three-star Lattimore Ford (No. 263), who projects as a developmental prospect more than a rotational player.

As a result, this will be the first year in which a freshman is not projected to have significant playing time. That is likely due to the veteran-laden roster Sprinkle built in an effort to win games and get himself off the hot seat, but that also puts pressure on recruiting for the future of the program as well.

Here are some of the Huskies’ top 2027 prospects with upcoming visits to Montlake:

Darius Wabbington, C - October 24

A 6-11 center out of Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix, Wabbington would be a transformational get for Sprinkle and his staff. He is the No. 12-ranked player nationally and the second-ranked center in the class.

Listed at 255 pounds, Wabbington is known primarily for his offensive abilities. He has a legitimate handle that is rare for a player his size and excels at reading the floor, not only making the extra pass but creating opportunities for teammates with his advanced passing ability. He has soft hands and can shoot when asked, though he has not yet earned the title of a true stretch big.

Defensively, Wabbington currently projects as average. He is not a liability, but he does not project to add much in the shot-blocking or switchability departments. The hope is that his offensive upside will outweigh any defensive limitations.

Currently, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Arizona and North Carolina are leading the way in his recruitment. If Washington can remain in the mix and make an impression during his visit, the Huskies have a chance.

Ahmed Nur, PF - September 6

A composite five-star prospect, Nur is one of the most important recruits scheduled to visit campus this fall. Hailing from Bella Vista Prep in Arizona, the 6-9 power forward ranks No. 5 at his position and No. 25 overall.

Nur is more of a projection-over-production player at this point, showing three-level scoring ability with the jumbo wing frame scouts covet. His shot is pure, but it can go cold at times for no apparent reason. If he can become more consistent and regularly show up in the box score, he could help lead the Huskies back to relevance.

Ole Miss currently appears to be leading Nur’s recruitment, but he has not narrowed his list significantly. Sprinkle will have his work cut out for him in landing such a major prospect.

Deng Ngor, PF - September 18

Washington has had its fair share of success on the international recruiting scene. Pulling the Canadian-born Ngor to Montlake would continue that tradition.

Ngor is a high-end four-star prospect ranked No. 96 nationally and the No. 20 power forward in his class. He could make an immediate impact once he steps on campus.

Ngor projects to impact winning with his elite athleticism and defensive profile. Able to play either the 3 or the 4, the lanky wing would add considerable versatility to the lineup.

His offensive game remains a work in progress, as he depends on lobs and cuts for much of his production. However, he has shown a promising-looking jumper, even if the numbers have not yet backed it up.

Of all the prospects visiting this fall, Ngor is the only one who has Washington among his finalists. The Huskies are in his final four along with Ohio State, Florida, and Duke.

Florida and Duke both typically hit the transfer portal hard each offseason, meaning Washington could find itself competing most directly with Ohio State for Ngor’s services.

Jimmie Haywood, SG - September 5

A recent riser in the rankings, Haywood has only two listed offers on 247Sports, with Nevada joining Washington on that list.

Originally from Seattle, Haywood now plays at Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona. An off-ball combo guard, he projects best alongside a true point guard but can facilitate the offense when needed. He is adept at moving without the ball and functions well within an offense when he is not the primary ballhandler.

Defensively, Haywood will need some work, but he has the basic athletic traits at 6-3 to become an average defender.

Given that Washington is one of his only current offers, Sprinkle will likely aim to earn his commitment before larger programs begin offering from around the country.

Jacoby Briscoe, SF - September 11

Briscoe is another four-star prospect Washington has a legitimate chance to land this recruiting cycle. He ranks No. 160 nationally and is the No. 40 small forward in the class.

The Virginia native stands 6-6 and has an elite midrange game, along with the range to do damage from three-point territory when his shot is falling. He appears reluctant to attack the rim at times and can lose concentration defensively despite possessing the physical tools to perform well on that end of the floor. He is another player who needs to show more consistency to continue climbing the rankings.

Washington is one of only three schools with official visits scheduled for Briscoe, with UCF and Vanderbilt being the other two.

While both programs are currently in a better position than the Huskies, Sprinkle has previously shown the ability to land high-level recruits and will look to beat the odds again.

Looking Forward

Washington likely will not land a major commitment until it can prove that it is a legitimate NCAA Tournament contender. However, getting visits from a collection of high-profile prospects is a step in the right direction for the 2027 roster.

Should Washington outperform expectations this season and garner increased donor support, landing one or two of these prized recruits could help revitalize a once-proud basketball program that has been mired in a long NCAA drought.