After head coach Danny Sprinkle was able to retain the services of coveted guard Zoom Diallo in the 2024 class, the Washington Huskies have struggled with in-state recruiting.
The top prospect in Washington, four-star guard Jaylen Petty, chose coach Richard Pitino and the New Mexico Lobos over the Huskies. On Friday, the state’s No. 2 prospect, three-star Rainier Beach guard Kaden Powers, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 37 shooting guard by 247Sports, chose the Rutgers Scarlet Knights over 12 other offers, including Washington.
“It was a tough decision for sure committing to a school out on the East Coast instead of staying home,” Powers told 247Sports’ Dushawn London. “It was hard for my family to make the long trip, but the coaching staff made us feel very comfortable and promised that they’d take care of me. They have a good relationship with me and my family it made it feel like an hour’s flight based on how comfortable we were.”
“There was nothing bad about my visit,” he continued. “I had no complaints, and I had fun. They have really nice facilities, but what sold me was the bond I made with the coaching staff. They made me feel comfortable with everything. Seeing my mom smile while out there meant a lot to me.”
After the Huskies earned a commitment from four-star guard Courtland Muldrew on Tuesday, it appears Sprinkle’s coaching staff is still in the hunt for one or two more guards in the 2025 class and is hot on the trail of both five-star Darryn Peterson and four-star JJ Mandaquit.