By JACOB POLACHECK
COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. — Washington head coach Mike Hopkins spoke with ZAGSBLOG about the Huskies’ incoming signing class and the upcoming season on Sunday at the Team USA U-19 Men’s Basketball Training Camp.
“We’re excited. We’ve got a lot of great young talent,” said Hopkins. “We’ve got a lot of great young talent, but we’ve also got a lot of upperclassmen with Naz Carter, Hameir Wright.”
Hopkins is an assistant coach for the USA Basketball U-19 Team.
“Jamal Bey started to play and guys that usually didn’t get a lot of minutes last year, but are really talented,” he said. “They’ve got a chip on their shoulder and they’ve got to play together, but we’re really excited with the guys coming in.”
Washington will bring in two McDonald’s All-Americans next season in Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels.
“Isaiah is going to fit in,” said Hopkins. “He’s a culture changer with his work ethic, his leadership, his toughness and his will to win. He’s great at playing for something greater than himself. I love everything about him. He’ll be a difference maker for us.”
After committing back in January, Stewart quickly began to recruit McDaniels to Washington. In May, McDaniels chose the Huskies over Kentucky.
“Jaden is a kid who has had tremendous growth with the game over the last year,” said Hopkins. “You saw him keep elevating through hard work and dedication. There aren’t too many players that are as skilled as he is at his size. He’s an elite basketball player. No question about it. ”
“Everybody talks about the one-and-done, but they’re perfect fits for Washington,” he said. “They’re great kids. They have high character, great work ethic.”
Stewart was originally set to participate in the Team USA Training Camp, but withdrew prior to the camp.
“He just decided that it was best for him not to come,” said Hopkins. “He hasn’t been a college student, so he’ll be out there with the program, getting acquainted with the campus and being around his teammates. That was his decision.”
In addition to Stewart and McDaniels, they have also signed guards RaeQuan Battle and Marcus Tsohonis, and will have transfer Quade Green eligible to play in January.
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