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Three Reasons University of Washington Huskies Will Land 2017 Nate Pryor

Bret Stuter
Bret Stuter

The Husky Haul

Nov 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Seattle Redhawks head coach Cameron Dollar yells from the sidelines in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team have witnessed the 2017 recruiting class dwindle from five to one. But here are three reasons why Nate Pryor will land at the University of Washington Huskies.

The University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team needs players for the 2017 basketball team. The once proud class of 2017, boasting five of the nations most coveted prospects, has dwindled to one, shooting guard Jaylen Nowell.

With the dismissal of former head coach Lorenzo Romar, the likes of 5-star small forward Michael Porter Jr., 4-star point guard Blake Davis, 4-star forward Mamoudou Diarra, and four star guard Daejon Davis have all bolted from the program.   With defections from players occurring as well, it would seem there is a strong case building to consider the Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team on life support.

Unless, you consider the fact that the door swings both ways.  And so, surprise attrition can create openings for players who were meant to be Washington Huskies all along.

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Some players have risen up as leaders in the aftermath.  David Crisp and Carlos Johnson have earned the respect of many in their decision to see it through.   Now, the team needs to bolster the ranks.   And highly coveted point guard Nate Pryor just landed back into the market.

Does the University of Washington Huskies have a chance at Nate Pryor? I think so. In fact, I have three reasons why Nate Pryor will elect to join the University of Washington Huskies

Nov 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Seattle Redhawks head coach Cameron Dollar yells from the sidelines in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Seattle Redhawks head coach Cameron Dollar yells from the sidelines in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Reason I. The University of Washington Huskies hired Cameron Dollar as an Assistant Coach

Cameron Dollar is a distinguished basketball coach who is the most obvious link between the University of Washington and Nate Pryor. But don’t let that fool you. The bond between Pryor and Dollar is as strong as the gossamer strand of a spider’s web.

It’s that way for virtually all high school students venturing out into the realm of NCAA basketball. It is a relationship for these young men, a first step in their maturity. It is built on trust, and loyalty.
In essence, a young athlete must intrinsically trust their head coach, who takes on many roles for the incoming freshman: mentor, advisor, disciplinarian, and in some cases, even a family role model.  Some basketball players have millions riding on the coach they entrust.

And Nate Pryor is one of those players

He is familiar with Seattle, and with Coach Dollar. In fact, herosports.com writer Amaar Abdul-Nasir believes Seattle University made a mistake in firing Cameron Dollar for that very reason. Dollar successfully recruited Pryor to Seattle University.

Now, Dollar may be able to sustain that bond with Pryor by recruiting him once more to the Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball team.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before the start of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before the start of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Reason II. The University of Washington Huskies has a stellar reputation of landing players into the NBA

Whether or not Lorenzo Romar is at the helm, the NBA has established the University of Washington Huskies as a source for NBA caliber talent. Of all the college basketball players in the US, only 60 are fortunate enough to hear their name called at the NBA Draft each year.

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  • Since 2005, 12 players from the University of Washington have been selected in the NBA Draft. That is an average of one player per year.   In 2016, both Marquese Chriss and Dejounte Murray were selected in the first round.  That’s an amazing accomplishment for a non-NCAA tournament team.

    But there is more at work than just an NBA contract in the works.  Every basketball player wants to step onto the “big stage”.  An NBA basketball court is the destination of each young player from the moment they make their first dribble.  Unfortunately, there is not “secret sauce” to achieve that dream.

    There are paths. Worn and trodden by the hopefuls who came before. And the path through UW appears to lead to the NBA.

    It’s no compromise to follow in the footsteps of others who have gotten where you wish to go. In fact, it’s a wise choice.

    March 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard David Crisp (1) moves the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
    March 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard David Crisp (1) moves the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

    Reason III. Nate Pryor joining the University of Washington Huskies automatically places his name on the national radar.

    The University of Washington Men’s Basketball team has made plenty of headlines recently. From the change at the head coaching position, to the exodus of players and prospects alike, the Huskies are getting more than their fair share of press coverage.

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  • Now, don’t consider this THE reason for Pryor’s joining UW.  But the fact remains that college basketball is all about headlining.  Consider the circus around Michael Porter Jr.’s exodus from the University of Washington to Missouri to play for his father. Despite the certainty of the outcome, plenty of schools sought his participation.  Despite no chance at a  commitment, plenty of teams threw their hats into the ring.

    There will always be value placed upon “getting your name out there”.  But especially so in this case.

    Against The Grain

    With so many talented young men choosing to leave the Washington Huskies, the expectations for the team’s success this season hinges about at the level of enough players to suit up for a game. In short, there are no expectations.

    Nate Pryor could pleasantly surprise the nation. Any success for this team will be attributable to the few who chose to align with the Washington Huskies.  Should Pryor join, he has no risk and huge rewards to show for it.

    Right now, the University of Washington has scholarships.  The team has a spot for quality basketball players. And the team has the perfect national platform in their competition in the PAC-12 Conference to showcase players. Nate Pryor would be the perfect player in the recent developments at the University of Washington. Perhaps he already knows that.

    Next: Washington Huskies Women’s Basketball Reportedly Losing Head Coach

    After all, he has just reopened his recruitment.

    Bret Stuter

    Bret Stuter

    Bret Stuter is the site expert for Ramblin Fan who has covered the Los Angeles Rams for 5 years. Swept up into loving professional sports from a family that listened to games on the radio, he is at home cheering for HC Sean McVay and the Rams. Articles have been featured on B/R, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, Sporting News, and Washington Post. Bret loves to fish, and watch games at sports bars over pizza.