Any regrets? Tracking former Washington Basketball recruits progress

After a suspenseful win 86-82, Washington Basketball’s Coach Hopkins has already severed the 13 game losing streak and ignited a spark of hope in players, coaches, fans, and alumni. But what of the recruits who chose a different path than UW? Any regrets?

The University of Washington recruiting class of 2017 was ranked as one of the best in the nation and even as one of the best in school history.  But after the horrific end to the 2016-2017 season, it was a bittersweet carrot at the end of a very long stick.  In the end, the Washington Basketball program faced a tough choice.  On one hand, do nothing and reap a great class. On the other hand, change everything and turn the program in a new direction.

The choice was change.  That change meant the Washington Basketball program would turn in a new direction at head coach, and that meant new scheme for the players. While that is not the optimal event for the development of a young man’s basketball skills, it can be rather telling of something about the player.

Stay and fight, or take off in flight.

Of the 2017 recruiting class for the Washington Basketball team, one chose to stay.  That player was Jaylen Nowell, the same star who scored 32 points as a freshman to help lead the Huskies to a dramatic come from behind win over the Belmont Bruins.  But what of the others?  In an article written nearly a year ago, I touched on the then recruiting class of 2017: