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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 5 finalists for Utah Valley transfer Fardaws Aimaq

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the second half of the college basketball game against the North Florida Ospreys at United Supermarkets Arena on November 09, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the second half of the college basketball game against the North Florida Ospreys at United Supermarkets Arena on November 09, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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NCAA BasketballTerrell Brown Jr. Mike Hopkins Washington Huskies (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
NCAA BasketballTerrell Brown Jr. Mike Hopkins Washington Huskies (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

2. Washington Huskies

Washington is in dire need of some change. It has been a long-standing theme that talent from the Seattle area should not be leaving for outside schools. Most notable Paolo Banchero was all the way across the country to play for Duke when Washington was in his backyard.

Geography is on Washington’s side with Aimaq being from Vancouver, Canada; which is approximately three hours away from the location of the Washington basketball program.

The resurgence of the Huskies being a formidable threat in the Pac-12 can start with the addition of Aimaq. Head Coach Mike Hopkins has been aggressively pursuing high-end talent through the transfer portal and whoever is still an uncommitted recruit. Hopkins knows time is ticking for the turnaround of the program.

Aimaq would significantly improve the frontcourt position as Nate Roberts said he was turning pro. Incoming freshmen wise Hopkins only has 3-star recruit 6’7″ Nate Linhardt coming in to play a frontcourt position. Needless to say, Aimaq has the opportunity to be closer to home and be a top option for this Huskies team.

Playing in the Pac-12 would also be easier in terms of playing against other skilled big men. That isn’t to say that the likes of USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc., don’t have skilled big men it’s just Aimaq would be amongst the best or rather the best big man in all of the conference. The Pac-12 is more of a skillful, offensive-oriented league which could benefit Aimaq on both ends.

The downside to playing at Washington is the roster makeup currently. Would Aimaq want to play with a team that doesn’t have the top-end talent like his other finalists? Does he want to play in a zone schemed defense under Hopkins? Per Synergy Sports, Aimaq experienced playing in a defensive zone in only 11 possessions last season. Lastly, would Aimaq want to bank on playing for a coach that has only sniffed the NCAA Tournament once?