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Woof! SF Jamal Bey commits to 2018 Washington Basketball

Bret Stuter
Bret Stuter

The Husky Haul

Mike Hopkins Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Washington Huskies mascot Harry the Husky looks on during the team’s first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 78-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Washington Huskies mascot Harry the Husky looks on during the team’s first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 78-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Washington Basketball team earns third commitment. Small Forward Jamal Bey has just made a verbal commitment to the 2018 recruiting class.

Small forward Jamal Bey stands 185 pounds and stands 6-foot-6. But right now, he stands awfully tall. You see, he just verbally committed to the University of Washington Basketball program recruiting class of 2018.

And not a moment too soon.

This is welcome news indeed! The Bey commitment makes three new players to the 2018 class. Bey joins point guard Elijah Hardy and power forward Ed Chang.  His inclusion truly sets up the team to make huge strides next year.

We have plenty to discuss. Does Bey fit the new team? Does the team fit Bey? Let’s get to it.

SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 27: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins (C) of the Syracuse Orange reacts while sitting on the bench against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 27, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Texas Southern 80-67.(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 27: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins (C) of the Syracuse Orange reacts while sitting on the bench against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 27, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Texas Southern 80-67.(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

In the good ole summertime…

You may recall Jamal Bey previously. He visited the school in late June 2017.  At that time, we were rather hopeful that he might commit this year.


During his visit, he was greeted by an unexpected NBA pro – Jamal Crawford. That visit went very well for both the player and the University.

Since that visit, however, there has not been much word from him.  It often happens that way, summertime activity only to fall into an autumn lull.  But that has not proven to be the case with the Washington Basketball team.  They have earned verbal commitments on July 3, September 9, and September 30.

Coach Hopkins and his staff are proving to be sharpshooters on the recruiting trail.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 26: Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Attorneyâs Office, Southern District of New York, on September 26, 2017 in New York, New York. announce charges of fraud and corruption in college basketball. The acting U.S. Attorney announced Federal criminal charges against ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 26: Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Attorneyâs Office, Southern District of New York, on September 26, 2017 in New York, New York. announce charges of fraud and corruption in college basketball. The acting U.S. Attorney announced Federal criminal charges against ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)

Story got hot recently

While the Washington Basketball team appears to be fully in the clear, NCAA basketball recruiting is currently making national headlines. Two Pac-12 schools: USC and Arizon, are implicated in an ongoing FBI investigation which involves basketball recruits and their families, a major athletic shoe representative, and at least four associate coaches from NCAA schools.

While that investigation may take months, or even years, to play out, the immediate impact should have a positive effect on the Washington Basketball program and Coach Hopkins’ recruiting efforts.

Positive effects, like landing a highly talented wing.

Let’s talk about fit, baby

He is an extremely versatile forward who has huge upside.  But when I say versatile, I mean in two-ways.  He is skilled enough to play in either the front court or the back court. His natural size and skillset suggest he has the potential to be a proficient wing on the team.  But there is more upside. He is gifted both defensively and at perimeter shooting.  “3 and D” players are marquis talent in the NBA for good reason, they are few and far between, and they help win championships.

Bey is that caliber player. He had his pick from six schools, and he followed his heart to Seattle Washington. You can bet that Hopkins and company are eager to coach this young man up.

YOU SHOULD ALSO CHECK OUT:  Washington Basketball Coach Mike Hopkins Opens Up

This is an under-the-radar huge get for the program. I loved the idea of Bey playing in Purple back in June. Now that it’s official, this news really makes my day. Congratulations, Jamal.

The Washington Basketball team is shaping up to be very competitive.

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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.