Just Like Washington Huskies Football, UW MBB More About Fit Than Rank

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

Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team Has Lost Highly Ranked Players. But Like Football program, It’s more about FIT than RANK

The University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team has had to redefine itself in the past months. After all, the team once boasted one of the most touted recruiting classes in 2017. Unfortunately, coaching changes evolved from a highly ranked class to a recruiting class where fit and heart seem to play a larger role. After all smoke cleared, the team has taken a long hard look in the mirror.

In summary, it’s the age old question of nurture vs. nature. On one hand, are basketball teams more dependent upon the genetic skills of incoming players? Or on the other hand, are they linked to the quality of instructive coaching and mentoring that goes towards building a better team?

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The Huskies had tried the “best talent” approach. It seems fitting that the Men’s Basketball team will take the road less traveled now.

These 4 elite NBA point guards were all 3-star recruits out of high school. No one would have expected these guys to be superstars. pic.twitter.com/feO82nyf4o
— Eric Fawcett (@EricFawcett_) April 12, 2017

The Huskies found lots of talent in prospects who did not arrive with 5 stars to their name. Isaiah Thomas was one such player.

IT Fit Exceeded Rank

Isaiah Thomas is carving out a career for himself by leading the very hot Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs. But he was once a 3-star recruit who played for the University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team.

From the moment he arrived on the scene with the Huskies, he led his team in scoring. Playing for three season, Thomas was a feisty point guard who could score against even the staunchest opponent. But it was not until his junior season that it all “clicked”. In that season, he doubled his assists per game and improved his perimeter shot from 32.7 percent to 34.9 percent.

New Names Familiar Stories

Now, the same Washington Huskies entrusts the reigns to the likes of David Crisp, Nate Pryor, Carlos Johnson, and Michael Carter III. On one hand, the Huskies began the recruiting process aiming in one direction. On the other hand, conditions changed, and the void of exiting prospects and players created opportunities. In summary, those opportunities now extend to players committed to excellence and dedication.

This is not a new path for the Washington Huskies. The team is quite familiar with fit as a priority. In fact, the Washington Huskies Football program uses the concept as a mantra.

Is this a conscious decision or simply the only path remaining? Ultimately, it’s like more of the latter. But that does not mean this is not a better way to go.

Carrying the load to the summit can often be borne more readily by those who know the climb is steep. Distractions happen to those who ultimately believe they have “peaked”. Right now, nobody on the Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team expects easy success.

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That could be the best thing for the program right now. Like it or not, it’s the path before the team. Resolve will be tested. But with the current roster, that suits this team just fine.

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