UW Basketball Recruiting Update: Surviving the Cuts

P.J Fuller, PG/SG, 6’4, 170. Findlay Prep, Las Vegas, Nevada.

247: 4 stars, #63 overall; Rivals: 4 stars, #54 overall; ESPN: 4 stars, #67 overall.

Other Offers: TCU, Florida State, Florida, Saint Mary’s, UNLV, Iowa State, Texas Tech

Washington seemingly was dealt a blow in its chances of landing Fuller when he announced he was leaving Seattle to attend Findlay Prep in Las Vegas for his senior season. But Fuller released his top 8 this evening and it is an encouraging list for Washington. The Huskies were the only Pac-12 program on the list despite offers from Arizona, USC, ASU, and Oregon. If no one else gets involved late then there aren’t a lot of big threats. The two Florida schools have definitely had better basketball programs over the last decade but neither are basketball first schools.

The biggest challenger is likely TCU. Fuller has a personal connection with one of the coaches and said before the cut that it’s the only place he knew for sure that he’d be taking an official visit. Given this final 8 I’d call Washington the favorite once again until we see his exact official visit list.

Isaiah Stewart, C, 6’9, 245. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Indiana.

247: 5 stars, #7 overall; Rivals: 5 stars, #6 overall; ESPN: 5 stars, #4 overall.

Other Offers: Duke, Villanova, Syracuse, Michigan State, Indiana.

Washington stuck out like a sore thumb when they made the top 10 for the New York native. That feeling is even more pronounced now that they’re also in his top 6. Stewart announced that list on Friday night and it includes a heavy dose of blue bloods. The 5 star big man has an ongoing blog at USA Today and he gave his thoughts about each school there.

About Washington:

Coach Hop is really changing the culture up there; he already turned it into a winning program in his first year. He knew me since the eighth grade so I have a great relationship with him and I know he’ll do big things out in Seattle.

That’s a nice quote but still feels a step behind his comments on the other schools in his list. Stewart grew up about an hour and a half west of Syracuse and Hop was his primary recruiter before he moved to Seattle which is why the Huskies are still in it. My personal read is that this is a bit of a favor to Hop. Not necessarily that he has 0 intention of considering Washington but that they are a distant 6th.

In the past it would be easy to find out how he felt. With only 5 official visits whoever was #6 would be left out and it’d be clear where Stewart stands. But the new NCAA rules give up to 15 officials now. If and when he sets a date for an initial visit, we’ll reevaluate things. UW is the only one of the top 6 schools he hasn’t visited yet. Maybe he comes here and falls in love with the campus. They have a coach he clearly really likes and a Husky in Nahziah Carter who is from the same hometown. But the deck is seriously stacked against the Dawgs here.

RaeQuan Battle, SG, 6’4, 175. Marysville-Pilchuck HS, Marysville, Washington.

Committed to Washington

Just wanted to point out that RaeQuan Battle moved into ESPN’s top 100 with their latest ranking update. He is also 83rd in 247’s rankings and 149th in Rivals. Battle is going to be a really nice addition when he gets to campus and should be the closest thing the Huskies have had to C.J Wilcox since Wilcox graduated.

The 2019 List (in approximate order of likelihood to sign with Washington)

IN A GOOD SPOT

Noah Williams, PG, 6’5, 175. 3 star, #235 overall (247 composite).

Marcus Tsohonis, PG, 6’4, 170. 3 star, #296 overall.

P.J Fuller, PG/SG, 6’4, 170. 4 star, #59 overall.

STILL A CHANCE

Jaden McDaniels, SF, 6’10, 200. 5 star, #4 overall.

PIPE DREAM

Isaiah Stewart, C, 6’9, 245. 5 star, #5 overall.

THE BLUTARSKY (0.0%)

Nico Mannion, PG, 6’3, 180. 5 star, #15 overall.

Joe Girard III, SG, 6’1, 178, 4 star, #116 overall.

Brian Antoine, SG, 6’5, 168. 5 star, #11 overall.

Scottie Lewis, SF, 6’5, 184. 5 star, #10 overall.

Josh Green, SF, 6’6, 190. 5 star, #9 overall.

Wendell Moore, SF, 6’5, 210. 5 star, #24 overall.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF, 6’9, 231. 5 star, #17 overall.

The 2020 List (in approximate order of likelihood to sign with Washington)

IN A GOOD SPOT

Lamont Butler, PG, 6’1, 172. NR.

MarJon Beauchamp, SG, 6’6, 175. 5 star, #21 overall.

Mitchell Saxen, C, 6’10, 210. 3 star, #153 overall

Noah Taitz, SG, 6’3, 175. 4 star, #83 overall.

Isaiah Cotrell, PF, 6’9, 200. 4 star, #47 overall.

STILL A CHANCE

Julian Strawther, SF, 6’7. 5 star, #22 overall.

Daishen Nix, PG, 6’3, 185. 3 star, #172 overall.

PIPE DREAM

L.J Cryer, PG, 6’1, 180. 4 star, #63 overall.

THE BLUTARSKY (0.0%)

Johnny Juzang, SF, 6’6, 200. 4 star, #27 overall.

Joshua Christopher, SG, 6’4, 190. 5 star, #12 overall.

Jalen Green, SG, 6’5, 170. 5 star, #1 overall.

Evan Mobley, 6’11, 200. 5 star, #2 overall.

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