The Washington Huskies men's basketball team has spent most of this offseason attempting to fill out the roster for the 2026-27 season.

The Huskies only had six returners from last year's team and have gone to the transfer portal, the 2026 high school graduating class and internationally to find spots on the team.

Unfortunately, a new rule from the NCAA could throw a wrench into those plans.

Washington recruited 6-foot-9, 21-year-old Brazilian forward Wini Braga and 6-foot-4, 20-year-old Australian guard Tristan Devers to fill out the depth.

However, both players could have a hurdle affecting whether or not they can come stateside for the Huskies.

Sports Illustrated reported earlier this month that the NCAA instituted a new guidance that could result in a loss of eligibility from players who have received compensation above "necessary expenses" and/or has a minimum salary. Most of the leagues mentioned were domestic ones, such as NBA, WNBA, MLB and the NFL. International leagues, such as EuroBasket, were also identified.

Based on the wording of the guidance, players currently in the NCAA who had already played in professional leagues could also see their eligibility impacted.

Forward Nikola Dzepina, who's one of the program's six returners from last season, played in EuroBasket before joining the team in December 2025.

Roundtable Sports reached out to the Washington athletic department for clarification on how the university is working through and following the new guidance.

According to a UW spokesperson, Dzepina won't be affected by the new rule.

"The guidance pertains only to prospects that haven’t yet enrolled in a university," said the UW spokesperson to Roundtable Sports. "The rules pertaining to post-enrollment competition has not been (affected)."

There's uncertainty over how the new rule will impact whether or not Braga or Devers will be able to play.

According to the spokesperson, the Huskies compliance department is still "working through" the matter.

"There is a possibility that new players signed this signing period from international leagues could have some impact," The spokesperson said. "At this time, though, we are unclear over what that impact, if any, will be."

With Braga and Devers' addition to the roster, Washington's roster currently stands at 13 players — two away from the max capacity allowed.

If Braga and Devers are unable to compete, the Huskies will be left scrambling and will need to find spots for nearly a third of the roster.

The guidance would also severely impact Washington's ability to recruit for the future. Dzepina didn't join the team until the season was already and the team's leading scorer and rebounder from last season, Hannes Steinbach (who's currently preparing for the 2026 NBA Draft) was recruited out of Germany.

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