​As coach Danny Sprinkle and the Washington Huskies chase to fill the sizable void left in the frontcourt by Hannes Steinbach’s departure for the NBA draft, one of the most promising options remains untapped, still awaiting his first appearance in purple and gold. Traore transferred to Montlake from Frank Phillips College, where he earned national recognition as the No. 3 junior college prospect in the nation per 247Sports, thanks to averages of 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. His debut at Washington, however, has been delayed by a torn tendon that sidelined him for his entire first season in Seattle. Now, as the Huskies undertake another comprehensive roster overhaul, Traore could emerge as a pivotal piece in the rotation moving forward.
During his time at Frank Phillips, Traore demonstrated versatility by occasionally bringing the ball up the floor, in addition to his inside presence. He shot an efficient 53.4 percent from the floor and converted 76.4 percent of his free throws, a combination that drew high praise from Sprinkle for his athleticism. “He’s probably the best athlete on our team,” Sprinkle said ahead of the 2025-26 season. “When you’re talking about just running and jumping, he’s a freak. And he’s all of 6-foot-11 and long; he’s going to be a really good player here.”
With Lathan Sommerville and Nikola Dzepina back in the mix, plus professional additions Wini Braga and Boris Tisma from Brazil and Croatia respectively, along with Texas Tech transfer LeJuan Watts, Washington has depth in the frontcourt. Traore’s rebounding ability and his length could be a critical asset, potentially giving Sprinkle a much-needed boost in the Big Ten as the Huskies look to maximize their interior presence and floor-spacing capabilities.
Sprinkle indicates Traore has three years of eligibility remaining, suggesting he could become a central figure for Washington’s frontcourt in the coming seasons. If he can translate his youth-circuit success, athleticism, and shooting touch to the college level, Traore could develop into a cornerstone piece for the Huskies as they navigate the conference and compete for a prominent role in the lineup.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire, highlighting Mady Traore as a potential central figure for Washington basketball in 2026-27.