2018 Washington Basketball recruiting class fills team needs

While the Washington Basketball team awaits the chance to compete in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), let’s take a look at the 2018 recruiting class once more

The Washington Basketball team finished a season with lots of surprises. Everyone was delighted at the team’s 20-12 record, and 10-8 Pac-12 conference record. But it was a team that peaked too early in the season. The team’s apex arrived when the team defeated nationally-ranked Arizona to reach a 17-6 record. From that point on, the team’s record was just 3-6, including a round one loss to Oregon State in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament.

Of course, we’ll dive into the fundamentals of the team scheme, roster, and playbook  in the weeks ahead. What went right for this team? And then, what went wrong? This was a year with both good times and frustrating times. But the team has some news to talk about now, and that is the significance of the 2018 recruiting class.

Perspective

To be fair, we need to reorient ourselves to the reality Coach Hopkins faced upon his arrival to the University of Washington. From almost the moment he arrived, Hopkins had to pull triple duty in assembling a coaching staff, convincing prospects and players to remain onboard, and recruit new players. The matter was compounded as several of his early coaching staff elected not to join Hopkins at Washington.

All of the 2017 recruiting class, save Jaylen Nowell, elected to seek their basketball elsewhere. as a result, Coach Hopkins had to fill the 2017 class roster holes late.  He did so by recruiting 6-foot-7 small forward Hameir Wright, 6-foot-6 small forward Nahziah Carter, and 6-foot-5 shooting guard Michael Carter III.  Point guard Nate Pryor, a huge favorite, was recruited but reportedly failed to achieve the academic criteria. And so the team entered the season robust at wings.