Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Preview 2022-23
After a surprising fifth-place finish in the Pac-12 last year, the Washington Huskies turned over most of their roster.
Herb Nightengale
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Returners
Fifth-year senior Jamal Bey is Washington’s most familiar season this season and the only returning starter. Bey’s best season was two years ago when he averaged 10.3 points a game and was the Pac-12 best three-point shooter at 50%. Bey is the only Huskies starter to return.
P.J. Fuller wasn’t a full-time starter last year, but his 22.5 minutes per game was fourth on the team. The former TCU transfer averaged 7.4 PPG. He could be a starter or the sixth man once again.
Another returner from UW’s bench is junior Cole Bajema from Lynden, Washington. This will be Bajema’s third season at Washington after starting his college career at Michigan.
Last year, the 6’7” wing averaged 19.5 minutes and 5.4 per game. If Fuller starts, Bajema could be one of UW’s key reserves.
The following three players didn’t get much playing time in 2021-22, but the Washington Huskies expect more from them this season.
To top the list is Jackson Grant, who was a McDonald All-American from Olympia, Washington. Grant appeared in 25 games and averaged 6.5 minutes, 1.1 points, and 1.5 rebounds per game. At 6’10”, he has good size and could start at either center or power forward.
Battling with Grant for playing time is 6’9” Langston Wilson. The former JUCO player made 28 appearances last year. He averaged 9.9 minutes, 2.6 points, and 2.6 boards.
Sophomore Samuel Ariyibi, a small forward from Nigeria, who the Huskies found at the NBA Africa Academy, could see his minutes increase. Last season Ariyibi only played in four games.