The Washington Huskies got bitten hard by the injury bug ahead of the 2025-26 season, and with just over a week to go before Danny Sprinkle's third year at the helm, that isn't the case.
While the biggest issue Sprinkle reported is the blood clots that kept starting guard Wesley Yates III out for the entire summer and all of September, the USC transfer was able to play in Washington's first scrimmage against Boise State, and the Huskies are mainly dealing with minor bumps and bruises with just over a week to go before they open the season against Colgate.
San Francisco transfer guard Ryan Beasley was unable to play against the Broncos with a concussion, but was spotted at Thursday's practice as a limited participant in individual drills.
2nd half
starts now. Keep this momentum going! pic.twitter.com/DlQg4ZdRhz
— Washington Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) October 18, 2026
Center Mady Traore, who missed the entire 25-26 campaign with a torn tendon in his foot, was also unable to play against the Broncos after having his knee drained, which, according to Sprinkle, is a minor issue that the coaching staff will have to manage throughout the season.
"His knee just kind of swells up," Sprinkle said on Thursday. "Now it's just kind of one of those, who knows how often it'll swell up, but for the most part, he's been able to practice. We're going to have to load-manage him, and it might be two practices here, one off, and then once it gets closer to games, just practice him two days prior to a game and then play, depending on how he recovers."
As for sophomore guard Jasir Rencher, who had a heart issue that ended his 2025-26 season in early January, Sprinkle confirmed that he underwent surgery to receive a pacemaker, but he has been able to practice for the majority of the offseason and doesn't have any limitations. However, the Huskies will also remain cautious with him moving forward.
"Him and (head athletic trainer Daren Nystrom), they coordinate, obviously, every day, and obviously with the pacemaker, if something does happen, it shocks it right back in...But, I imagine if that thing goes off again, his career is probably over."
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington basketball not dealing with major injuries ahead of 2026-27
