The Huskies' freshman standout and potential NBA draft pick has found representation with his next steps still unknown
The Washington Huskies men's basketball team is watching the NCAA tournament from home for the seventh year in a row.
While the Huskies are lamenting on failing to make the dance again, the team's best player from last season seems to be gearing up to potentially turn pro.
Freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who was named third-team All-Big Ten and to the Big Ten All-Freshman team, made an amazing impression in his first season of college ball.
Steinbach's status for the 2026-27 season is still up in the air.
The German native has garnered 2026 NBA Draft hype and there's been speculation that, even if he did opt to return for a second college season, the potential NIL money available for him would incentivize him to transfer elsewhere.
Regardless of what Steinbach's next steps will be, he'll now have some representation.
According to a report from Huskies Wire writer Roman Tomashoff, Steinbach has signed with Excel Management.
Excel Management is one of the most prolific sports agencies in the country, with notable basketball clients such as Nikola Jokic, Caitlin Clark, Jamal Murray, Khris Middleton and others.
Steinbach averaged 18.5 points per game this season on 57.7% shooting from the floor. He also pulled in 11.8 rebounds per game, dished 1.6 assists per game, blocked 1.2 shots per game and swiped 1.1 steals per game. He set the Big Ten single-season freshman record with 21 double-doubles.
Steinbach's potential draft stock rangers from the edge of the lottery to the mid-20s in the first round.
In a recent mock draft from ESPN, Jeremy Woo predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder to select Steinbach with the 15th overall pick.
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie predicted the Memphis Grizzlies to pick Steinbach with the 17th overall pick.
Last offseason, Washington head coach and the rest of the staff completely re-tooled the roster. Only two players who suited up for the Huskies in 2024-25 were on the roster again this past season.
It's still to be seen whether or not the Huskies will have to undergo as-drastic a roster reconstruction as last year. Regardless of whether or not Washington will have to replace a high quantity of players, Steinbach will be a significant loss if he does decide to leave the program.
Steinbach will have until late the early entry deadline May 27 to announce his intention to enter the NBA draft. He can withdraw from the draft by the deadline, which is typically in mid-June.
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