Washington has brought back a familiar face through the transfer portal as USC guard Wesley Yates III has announced his return to Seattle. Yates, who averaged 14.1 points per game with 43.9% shooting from beyond the arc for the Trojans this past season, had originally committed to Washington as a highly-touted 4-star prospect out of Beaumont, TX
. He did not play as a freshman for the Huskies due to a foot injury before transferring to USC last offseason, and now, with three years of eligibility remaining, he’s returning to Washington.
Yates chose the Huskies over serious interest from both Kentucky and Texas, and his decision was partly influenced by his family connection to former Washington assistant coach Quincy Pondexter, who is his cousin. When Yates first joined the Huskies, he was expected to make an immediate impact, but his foot injury sidelined him for a year, and the coaching staff underwent significant changes.
After considering staying at Washington with the arrival of Coach Sprinkle, Yates ultimately transferred to USC, where he initially faced some challenges but quickly found his rhythm. He moved into the starting lineup in early December and dropped 19 points against Washington. From that point, he was one of the Big Ten’s top scorers, averaging 18.1 points per game on remarkable shooting splits of 48/50/81% in conference play.
Yates’ shooting was particularly impressive, boasting a 76% effective field goal percentage in catch-and-shoot situations, which ranked in the 100th percentile across college basketball. While he’s not a standout in other areas, his scoring ability makes him a valuable asset to the Huskies.
With Yates back, Washington could roll out a dynamic three-guard lineup with him, Quamari Peterson, and Zoom Diallo. All three are excellent shooters, and with the addition of Jacob Ognacevic as a potential forward, Washington could have one of the most potent offenses in the country. However, much of the team’s defensive success will depend on Franck Kepnang and Mady Traore’s ability to protect the rim.
It’s also expected that Quincy Pondexter will return to Washington, though his specific role remains unclear. There have been reports that Pondexter won’t return to USC for a second year, and Washington’s coaching staff situation could evolve as a result.
Welcome back, Wesley—we’re excited to finally see you suit up in purple and gold as originally intended!
