Utah’s Keanu Dawes tries to run the lane but loses the ball when he collides with Washington’s Bryson Tucker during a game early in the season. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
Utah’s Keanu Dawes tries to run the lane but loses the ball when he collides with Washington’s Bryson Tucker during a game early in the season. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
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By
Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter
Bryson Tucker, a highflying sensation who had promising future with the Washington men’s basketball team, posted a lengthy goodbye on his social media account on Tuesday afternoon while declaring for the NBA draft.
“After taking time to reflect on my journey, everything I’ve learned, and following some very thoughtful and thorough conversations, I am thrilled to announce that I am declaring for the 2026 NBA draft,” he wrote. “This moment is a culmination of so many challenges and triumphs, and I could never have made it here alone.”
It’s a not-so surprising end to Tucker’s brief and strange stint with the Huskies.
Tucker came back to the court Dec. 13 and appeared in six games as a reserve before reclaiming his starting spot. He made 11 starts in the next 12 games, but his production and minutes significantly decreased at the end.
In his final two UW outings, he played 19 total minutes and tallied two points and one rebound.
Tucker was not with the Huskies in the final five games of the season and at the time coach Danny Sprinkle said he was still on the team, but dealing with a personal matter.
At his best, Tucker thrilled Husky fans with an array aerial acrobatics and established a rapport with guard Zoom Diallo while connecting on an assortment of alley-oop dunks.
Tucker averaged 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from the field and making 14 starts in 21 games.
His tenure at Indiana had similar end.
During an injury-plagued 2024-25 season, the 2024 McDonald’s All-American played in 23 games with the Hoosiers and missed the final six games. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds as a freshman.
Tucker is considered a longshot to be taken in the upcoming NBA draft.
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“As I take the next step, I am fully committed to giving everything I have and embracing the challenges of playing at the highest level,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who believed in me and stood by side. Your faith and support mean the world. It is not taken for granted!’”
Washington is down to seven scholarship players including freshmen standout Hannes Steinbach, who is also expected to turn pro.
The Huskies lost eight players from last season’s team that finished 16-17 including transfers Diallo, JJ Mandaquit and Courtland Muldrew.
Percy Allen: pallen@seattletimes.com. Percy Allen is a sports reporter for The Seattle Times, where he writes about the University of Washington Huskies men’s and women’s basketball teams and the Seattle Storm.
Utah’s Keanu Dawes tries to run the lane but loses the ball when he collides with Washington’s Bryson Tucker during a game early in the season. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
Skip Ad
By
Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter
Bryson Tucker, a highflying sensation who had promising future with the Washington men’s basketball team, posted a lengthy goodbye on his social media account on Tuesday afternoon while declaring for the NBA draft.
“After taking time to reflect on my journey, everything I’ve learned, and following some very thoughtful and thorough conversations, I am thrilled to announce that I am declaring for the 2026 NBA draft,” he wrote. “This moment is a culmination of so many challenges and triumphs, and I could never have made it here alone.”
It’s a not-so surprising end to Tucker’s brief and strange stint with the Huskies.
The 6-foot-7 sophomore forward from Bowie, Maryland, who transferred from Indiana started the first three games of the season and suffered an ankle injury against Baylor on Nov. 9 that forced him to miss six games.Tucker came back to the court Dec. 13 and appeared in six games as a reserve before reclaiming his starting spot. He made 11 starts in the next 12 games, but his production and minutes significantly decreased at the end.
In his final two UW outings, he played 19 total minutes and tallied two points and one rebound.
Tucker was not with the Huskies in the final five games of the season and at the time coach Danny Sprinkle said he was still on the team, but dealing with a personal matter.
At his best, Tucker thrilled Husky fans with an array aerial acrobatics and established a rapport with guard Zoom Diallo while connecting on an assortment of alley-oop dunks.
Tucker averaged 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from the field and making 14 starts in 21 games.
His tenure at Indiana had similar end.
During an injury-plagued 2024-25 season, the 2024 McDonald’s All-American played in 23 games with the Hoosiers and missed the final six games. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds as a freshman.
Tucker is considered a longshot to be taken in the upcoming NBA draft.
Advertising
Skip Ad
“As I take the next step, I am fully committed to giving everything I have and embracing the challenges of playing at the highest level,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who believed in me and stood by side. Your faith and support mean the world. It is not taken for granted!’”
Washington is down to seven scholarship players including freshmen standout Hannes Steinbach, who is also expected to turn pro.
The Huskies lost eight players from last season’s team that finished 16-17 including transfers Diallo, JJ Mandaquit and Courtland Muldrew.
Percy Allen: pallen@seattletimes.com. Percy Allen is a sports reporter for The Seattle Times, where he writes about the University of Washington Huskies men’s and women’s basketball teams and the Seattle Storm.