Former Washington Huskies Men's Basketball Forward Joins G-League Team

The Washington Huskies men's basketball team was tasked with replacing nine spots on the roster this offseason.

The Huskies saw those nine rosters vacate from last year due to a combination of factors. Some ran out of eligibility, others entered the transfer portal and some pursued professional opportunities.

The most notable player that advanced to the professional ranks was forward Hannes Steinbach, who led the team in points and rebounding last season. He led the nation in rebounds per game (11.5) and co-led the nation in rebounds with former Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer, who was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Steinbach also heard his name called in the '26 draft. He was picked 14th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, but hasn't been able to break through the regular rotation.

Another former player that attempted to pursue professional opportunities was forward Bryson Tucker.

The former five-star recruit spent one season, his sophomore year, with Washington last year after spending his freshman year with the Indiana Hoosiers. After his lone year on Montlake, Tucker announced his intention to enter the NBA Draft.

Tucker wasn't invited to the NBA combine but opted to stick with his declaration rather than pull his name from the draft and maintain his eligibility, which could have led to him either returning to UW or entering the transfer portal and playing his junior year elsewhere.

Tucker didn't have the season that Steinbach did, which led to some surprise at the former's decision to put his name in the draft. In his season in Montlake, Tucker scored 5.7 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the floor (26.1% from 3-point range) across 21 games (14 starts). He also averaged 3.9 rebounds and half an assist per contest. He missed 12 games due to a sprained ankle and a thumb injury, respectively.

The Bowie, Md., native didn't hear his name called in the draft, but struck with his choice to make a push to go pro, and that seems to have paid off with an opportunity.

Tucker's name is featured on the roster for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the G-League affiliate of the Houston Rockets. Tucker doesn't have a number on the team's roster page nor a player page on the G-League site, but was in the team's box score for its 120-116 loss to the Austin Spurs on Nov. 6.

According to a post on "X" from @GLeagueFan, Tucker's signing came after an open tryout.