SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies men's basketball team have had a solid start in their first two games of the season.

Washington opened the season with a 94-50 win against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions on Monday and followed that with an 84-70 win against the Denver Pioneers on Thursday, both at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The Huskies' win against the Pioneers was a prime example of the depth the team has. Entering the season, 13 of the 15 players on the roster were new to the program. Six of those players scored in double-digits and seven Washington players put up double-digit points total.

There were questions how the almost-completely retooled roster would look like this season. And the early returns have looked good so far.

And freshman guard JJ Mandaquit and freshman forward Hannes Steinbach have played major roles the Huskies' 2-0 start.

Both players are true freshmen but joined the program more seasoned than other first-year players in their class.

Steinbach and Mandaquit competed in the FIBA U19 World Cup this past summer for Team Germany and Team USA, respectively.

On Thursday, Mandaquit scored 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting, dished seven assists and had two steals. It was his second-straight game with seven or more assists.

Steinbach scored a team-high 13 points on 5-for-12 shooting, brought in 16 rebounds, dished four assists, had a steal and blocked two shots. It was Steinbach's first career double-double.

"They played high-level basketball for a long time," Huskies coach Danny Sprinkle said in a postgame interview Thursday. "They've played with high-level players. They're used to playing with really good players. And that's why the adjustment was really easy for both of them. And not only that, they just make the right basketball play. They keep the game easy. JJ, if he comes off an off-screen — passes it. If he gets hitched, he gets trapped, he gets rid of it. Hannes is phenomenal. You saw last game — a lot of his short-roll passing. They both just have really high basketball IQs and they're unselfish players. When you're talented and you just make the right play, it makes the game easier for your teammates, too."

Steinbach is 20-years-old despite being a true freshman and has already started to receive 2026 NBA Draft hype and will be a consistent offensive threat while he's on the court.

Through the first two games of the season, Mandaquit has shown to be a traditional floor general capable of guiding an offense that has a myriad of different skills.

Sprinkle said after the game the starting five will be malleable throughout the season. For now, it looks like Mandaquit and Steinbach will continue to be included among the starting five.

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