The Washington Huskies made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason on Sunday, securing senior guard Desmond Claude, a surprise transfer whose portal entry in April sent shockwaves through college basketball and set the stage for a dramatic roster transformation in Seattle.
Danny Sprinkle Making Moves In Seattle
Claude, who led USC in scoring last season with 15.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, has chosen Washington over elite programs like Alabama and Gonzaga.
NEWS: USC transfer Desmond Claude has committed to Washington, source told @On3sports.
The 6-6 junior averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season. Big pickup for the Huskies. https://t.co/4J6EEHjtyq pic.twitter.com/60ASMNrjPP
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 8, 2025
He joins former Trojan Wesley Yates III, who last month announced his return to Seattle after tallying 14.1 PPG and shooting 43.9% from three at USC.
Last season was a struggle for Washington. Under Sprinkle’s debut in the Big Ten, the Huskies stumbled to a 13–18 overall record, including a dismal 4–16 conference showing, landing dead-last in the 18-team league.
Danny Sprinkle’s High-Stakes Rebuild Earns Praise from Andy Katz
CBS national college basketball guru Andy Katz did not mince words about what Sprinkle is crafting. In his eyes, Sprinkle recognized the severity of Washington’s dismal Big Ten debut and responded with urgency.
“I love what Danny Sprinkle did at Washington,” Katz said. “He looked at his roster. He finished 18, only four Big Ten wins. He says, ‘Look, I have to upgrade the talent immediately.’ So what does he do? He goes heavy in the Big Ten players.” That effort starts with Desmond Claude, a “big-time scorer” from USC who Katz notes “can score in the teens. Not a great shooter. Slash, you get to the basket.”
🗣️ @TheAndyKatz LOVES what @UW_MBB has accomplished in the offseason 🔥#B1GMBBall pic.twitter.com/64ESFZ70rO
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) June 9, 2025
Sprinkle doubled down on talent from the Trojans by landing Wesley Yates III, and added Bryson Tucker from Indiana—an underutilized prospect with scoring potential. The frontcourt has also been retooled with Layton Somerville (Rutgers) and Mady Traoré (Maryland), while Zoom Diallo returns as a slashing threat.
Huskies Reload with Depth, Shooting, and Belief
Katz highlighted Washington’s upgraded perimeter firepower, with sharpshooters like Tamari Peterson, who knocked down over 40% of his threes at ETSU, and Jacob Crews, the ASUN Player of the Year with similar range.
At one point, freshman JJ Mandaquit, a standout with USA Basketball, could quickly take the reins. In the paint, depth is no longer a concern, as Hans Steinbeck, Layton Somerville, Mady Traoré, and a hopefully healthy Frank Kepnang give Sprinkle stable interior options.
“They’re definitely going to be able to score at a higher clip,” Katz added. “Should be able to make threes… I think you’re looking at an NCAA tournament team potentially, certainly on the bubble. The Huskies under Danny Sprinkle are going to get it done.”
With a revamped roster built through aggressive portal moves and a clear vision from Sprinkle, Washington enters the new season with something it sorely lacked a year ago—belief.
Keep Reading: Danny Sprinkle Projected to Make Huge Gains After Washington’s Newest Transfer Portal Acquisition
The Huskies are deeper, more versatile, and equipped with scoring at every level. If Claude lives up to his billing and the supporting cast clicks, Washington may not just erase last season’s disappointment—they could emerge as one of the Big Ten’s most compelling turnaround stories.
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