The Huskies were unable to land Seattle U transfer and 7-foot center Austin Maurer
The Washington Huskies men's basketball team is still looking to fill the final three spots on the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Huskies have 12 players currently on the roster. UW is reportedly looking in both the transfer portal and high school graduating Class of 2026 to find those final three spots.
Washington has reportedly offered the highest-ranked player in Oregon, Zamir Paschal. The team also has interest in Weber State guard and 2026 All-Big Sky player Tijan Saine Jr. and 6-foot-7 Slovenian point guard Urban Kroflic.
In addition to those trio of guards, the Huskies could also benefit from a proven rim protector to man the paint.
Washington has 6-foot-10 junior center Lathan Sommerville and 6-foot-11 forward/center Mady Traore both returning but neither has a proven track record of being a full-time starting center across an entire season.
If the Huskies are attempting to fortify the paint via the portal, one of the better options available is now off the board.
Junior Seattle University Redhawks center Austin Maurer, who Washington reportedly had interest in, will be heading to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) after committing to to the Stanford Cardinal.
Maurer announced his commitment in a post on "X" on Saturday.
Maurer played this past season just several miles away from the Huskies' home of Alaska Airlines Arena with the Redhawks.
The 7-foot, 230-pound center joined Seattle U last offseason after playing his freshman year with Grand Canyon.
In his only year with the Redhawks, Maurer averaged 7.2 points on 52.2% shooting across 35 games (25 starts). He also averaged 4.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game.
Washington got a firsthand look at the Medford, Ore., native in a game between UW and Seattle U on Dec. 19 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Maurer scored a season-high 19 points against the Huskies on a 7-for-11 clip from the floor (1-for-3 from 3-point range). He also added five rebounds and three blocks.
With Maurer off the board, the Huskies have less proven rim protectors to choose from who are currently in the portal.
There's also a chance that Washington's most recent commitment could have eliminated the team's push to add a big man.
The Huskies earned a commitment from 6-foot-9, 21-year-old Brazilian forward Wini Braga the past week.
Despite not being the size of a traditional center, Braga averaged six rebounds and more than a block a game with Minas of NBB, which is Brazil's professional basketball league.
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