The 2025–26 college basketball season has already delivered high-level play, elite teams, and plenty of freshman hype.
A Freshman Flying Under the Radar
Yet one of the most productive first-year players in the country has managed to stay largely out of the national conversation.
That player is Hannes Steinbach, a freshman standout for the Washington Huskies. Through the nonconference slate and early Big Ten action, Steinbach is averaging 17.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, numbers that immediately place him among the most productive freshmen in the nation.
The next major test comes Monday against Utah, followed by a steady diet of Big Ten competition.
Built for the Big Stage
Steinbach arrived in Seattle from Germany with an impressive international résumé. The 6-foot-11 forward played professionally with Würzburg before coming to Washington and has been a regular contributor for German national teams at multiple levels.
His international medal collection includes silver at the FIBA U19 World Cup, gold at EuroBasket 2024 in Finland, and bronze medals in Serbia (2023) and Germany at the AST World U18 Tournament. This past July, he helped lead Team Germany to the title game before falling to the United States, averaging 17.4 points and 13 rebounds during the tournament.
That experience has translated quickly to the college game.
Production That Jumps Off the Page
Washington has leaned heavily on Steinbach early, and he has responded with remarkable consistency. He has scored in double figures in all nine games he has played this season, including back-to-back double-doubles in recent outings.
Against San Diego, Steinbach posted 21 points and 14 rebounds. In the loss to Seattle University, he followed with 15 points and 12 boards. His best performances, however, came during Washington’s first two Big Ten games.
In the narrow loss to UCLA, he played 31 minutes, shot 11-for-12 from the field, and finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Two games later, in a road upset of USC, he added 24 points and 16 rebounds, firmly announcing himself to the league.
Washington’s Season in Context
The Huskies enter the week at 8-4 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. Their conference opener was a two-point loss to UCLA, followed by the road win at USC. Other losses came against Baylor, Colorado, and a disappointing setback against Seattle University.
Washington is one of eight Big Ten teams sitting at 1-1, while five teams remain unbeaten through the first two league games. The margin for error will shrink quickly as conference play becomes exclusive.
What Comes Next for Steinbach and the Huskies
After Monday’s matchup with Utah, Washington fully dives into Big Ten play with back-to-back road games at Indiana on January 4 and Purdue on January 7. The Huskies return home January 11 to host Ohio State.
If Steinbach continues producing at his current pace, he will firmly enter the All-Big Ten discussion, with Player of the Year conversations not far behind.
Under head coach Danny Sprinkle, Washington is searching for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Steinbach has quickly become the centerpiece of that push.
The next time you tune into a Huskies game, keep an eye on No. 6 — Hannes Steinbach is not just productive. He is one of the most impactful freshmen in college basketball.