Two former University of Washington Huskies men’s basketball players have recently signed with new teams. Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels, both freshmen, have signed with the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.
Stewart, a 6-foot-9 forward, was the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2019. He averaged 17.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his only season at Washington. He also led the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
McDaniels, a 6-foot-9 forward, was selected by the Timberwolves with the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He was a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection in 2019 and averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his only season at Washington. He also helped lead the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
Both Stewart and McDaniels have been praised for their potential to make an immediate impact in the NBA. Stewart is expected to be a force on the defensive end of the court, while McDaniels is expected to be a versatile scorer who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability.
The signings of Stewart and McDaniels mark a new era for the University of Washington men’s basketball program. The Huskies have now had two players drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in consecutive years for the first time since 2007 and 2008. It is a testament to the hard work of both players and the coaching staff at Washington that they were able to reach this level of success.
The signings of Stewart and McDaniels are also a testament to the strength of the Pac-12 Conference. Both players were highly regarded prospects coming out of high school and they both proved themselves to be elite players during their one season at Washington. This is a great sign for the future of Pac-12 basketball and it shows that the conference is capable of producing top-tier talent.
The signings of Stewart and McDaniels are a great accomplishment for both players and for the University of Washington men’s basketball program. Both players have worked hard to reach this level and they have earned their spots in the NBA. It will be exciting to watch them continue their careers at the next level and see how they fare against some of the best players in the world.
