Washington Huskies Targeting Big West Freshman of the Year Gavin Sykes in Transfer Portal

Danny Sprinkle is hunting for answers in the transfer portal, and the Washington head coach may have found a potential cornerstone in Long Beach State transfer Gavin Sykes. According to a report from The Athletic’s Tobias Bass, the Huskies are among a group of Power Four programs showing serious interest in the Big West Freshman of the Year.

Sykes, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 19.4 points per game with the Dirtbags last season, ranking second in the conference in scoring. He added three rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest across 28 appearances, 28 of them starts. His 38.7 percent shooting from three-point range made him one of the most efficient scorers in the Big West, and his production earned him Freshman of the Year honors along with a spot on the All-Big West Second Team.

The interest from Washington comes at a critical juncture. Sprinkle is preparing to lose his top two scorers from the 2025-26 campaign. Forward Hannes Steinbach is widely expected to declare for the NBA draft, while guard Zoom Diallo has entered the transfer portal. That means the Huskies need immediate production in the backcourt, particularly shooters who can space the floor around rising junior guard Wesley Yates III.

Washington finished No. 17 in the Big Ten last season, connecting on just 31.4 percent of their three-point attempts — a glaring weakness that Sykes could help address. The Huskies added Davidson transfer Parker Friedrichsen on Sunday night, but the need for additional shooting remains. Sprinkle has also seen freshman guards JJ Mandaquit and Courtland Muldrew enter the portal, leaving the backcourt depth thin heading into a crucial offseason of roster construction.

Sykes is not short on options. Beyond Washington, the Long Beach State standout has generated interest from Gonzaga, Indiana, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech — a list that underscores the high demand for his services. Winning the recruitment will not be easy, but the Huskies are clearly treating him as a priority.

After back-to-back seasons of roster overhaul on Montlake, Sprinkle is attempting to build something sustainable. Landing a player of Sykes’ caliber would represent a significant statement heading into year three of his tenure. But with multiple high-major programs in the mix, the competition for his commitment is fierce.