Guard Yates kick-starts Washington’s 2023 class

High-40 recruit Wesley Yates dedicated to Washington on Wednesday, giving coach Mike Hopkins an enormous enhance getting into an important season for the Huskies.

Yates selected Washington over LSU, Texas, Auburn, Arkansas and Stanford.

“Coach Hop and workers have made me a precedence,” Yates informed ESPN. “He’s an brisk one who is stuffed with ardour, and his ardour is actual. Coach Hop treats his gamers so properly off the court docket, and that’s vital. He will get the very best out of his guys. I wish to play for him.”

Yates, whose father was born in Seattle, additionally has household connections to the Huskies: His cousin is Quincy Pondexter, the previous Washington star who’s now an assistant coach on workers.

“He has performed the place I wish to go,” Yates stated of Pondexter. “He has given me some nice recommendation that has helped my recreation. He has helped me simplify the sport. I took out a whole lot of additional dribbles. It is not about dribble strikes, it is about studying the sport. State of affairs basketball. He has made the sport simpler for me.”

A 6-foot-4 capturing guard from Beaumont United Excessive Faculty (Texas), Yates is ranked No. 37 within the ESPN 100 for the 2023 class. He slots in because the No. 10 participant at his place.

Yates averaged 16.2 factors and three.2 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit final spring and summer time. His general physique energy is spectacular, and it permits him to successfully take in contact and end performs.

His ability degree took one other step over the summer time. Yates shot higher than 50% contained in the arc and was efficient in transition, though he shot under 30% from 3-point vary. He will get to his spots off the bounce with out getting got rid of the ball, and his capturing vary is deep with noticeable physique steadiness and contact on his midrange jumper. Yates handles the ball with energy however must assault the rim extra and create fouls.

Yates is Washington’s first dedication within the 2023 class. The Huskies are coming off their third straight season with out an NCAA event look, however there’s optimism in Hopkins’ program because of the addition of transfers Keion Brooks Jr. (Kentucky), Noah Williams (Washington State) and Franck Kepnang (Oregon).