UW Huskies Reloading for 2016-2017

The UW Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar has put together a sneaky-good recruiting class to replace the deluge of talent headed to the NBA for next season.

Most recently, the UW Huskies welcomed Carlos Johnson to the 2016 recruiting class last week. Johnson, a 6’4” 220-lb. guard out of Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, a national basketball powerhouse, averaged 15 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals for Findlay Prep. He has also played for El Cerrito High School in California, where he helped the team win the North Coast Division II title.

Johnson is excited to join the UW Huskies: “I am very excited to be heading to Washington and can’t wait to get on the court with my brothers,” said Johnson. “Coach Romar has a great reputation for developing his players and I can’t wait to continue to grow as a player and person.”

At least Johnson knows how to sound hungry and ready to dominate the Pac-12. Johnson signed his Letter of Intent on May 18^th.

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Lorenzo Romar’s biggest win of the offseason already happened last year, when he convinced five-star point guard recruit Markelle Fultz out of basketball haven DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland to join the UW Huskies. Fultz is already being called a lottery pick by some analysts and will likely start for the UW Huskies as soon as he hits the court.

Fultz is a late bloomer. He didn’t make the varsity squad at DeMatha his sophomore year, but after a growth spurt that stretched him from a skinny 6’ guard to an NBA-sized 6’4” aggressive scorer, Fultz is all but assured to be a one-and-done from Washington. Some NBA Draft scouts have already mocked him at number five in the 2017 draft. Fultz was recruited by just about every major basketball program in the country, including Kentucky, Louisville, and Arizona.

April, 1, 2016; Pearland, TX, U.S.A; Kyle Guy reacts with Markelle Fultz during the American Family High School Slam and 3-point championship at Dawson High School. Mandatory credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnson and Fultz will help replace standout UW Huskies guards Marquese Chriss and DeJounte Murray, but Romar didn’t stop there. He also brought in bruising center Sam Timmins last spring from the National Basketball League in New Zealand. After sitting out last season, the 6’10” 278-lb. Timmins will play for the UW Huskies next season as a freshman. He tried out for the New Zealand national team but didn’t make the final cut. Check out this picture of him with Romar from the Otega Daily Times. He’s excited to play for the UW Huskies.

The UW Huskies will add more size and length to their lineup when Auburn transfer Matthew Atewe will become eligible to play for Washington next season after sitting out last season. The 6’8” 240-lb. Canadian forward missed his sophomore season due to injury and appeared in 24 games off the bench for the Auburn Tigers his freshman year and was a member of the Canadian Junior National Team.

With the UW Huskies naming Jen Cohen their new Athletic Director, some wondered what Romar’s future might be after a disappointing season. However, Cohen gave Romar an endorsement in her opening remarks this week, and despite some fans calling for Romar’s head, he’s not going anywhere, guys.

Next: Three Key Players Returning for Cougars

Start getting excited now for this US Huskies team next year, who should at least contend in another competitive Pac-12 season.

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