The Serbian Sharpshooter Who Could Be Special: Why Nikola Dzepina Has Husky Nation Buzzing
Here's the thing about Nikola Dzepina: he arrived in Seattle in December as an unknown quantity, but by the time the Huskies' season wrapped up, he had head coach Danny Sprinkle seriously hyped. "He's got a chance to be a really, really good player," Sprinkle said before the season ended. That's not just feel-good talk either. This kid could legitimately develop into something special if he makes one crucial adjustment.
The European Connection With a Twist
UW's bringing in European big men this year, and Dzepina is the second one. The Belgrade native joined fellow import Hannes Steinbach, a German who's already looking like a one-and-done player headed for bigger things. Here's where it gets interesting though: these two couldn't be more different. Steinbach is a footwork wizard who knows how to work the paint, standing 6-foot-11 and weighing 250 pounds. Dzepina? He's an inch shorter and comes in at just 200 pounds. That's a 50-pound difference, and honestly, it shows.
But here's the hook: Dzepina's game is completely different. He fancies himself a shooter, with 36 of his 43 UW attempts coming from three-point range. The guy is a perimeter threat in a big man's body, which is exactly the kind of versatile weapon that wins games in modern college basketball.
Learning the American Game on the Fly
Let's be real though, the transition hasn't been smooth. Dzepina missed the first nine games waiting to enroll in December, then sat out another 10 while getting acclimated to Sprinkle's system. By the time he actually stepped on the court, he'd already missed nearly half the season. "It's harder, all this stuff and the rules," he said, comparing college ball to what he'd been playing. "I'm still learning."
When he did get playing time, the kid showed flashes. He hit his very first shot as a Husky, draining a three-pointer against Southern Utah. Playing just 11 minutes a night on average, he still managed to put up a high of 7 points and 8 rebounds against San Diego in his second game, and racked up 3 blocks each against Ohio State and Wisconsin. His best moment came down the stretch against USC when he and freshman Courtland Muldrew combined for 14 of the Huskies' final 16 points in a 91-72 victory, with Dzepina hitting both mid-range and three-point jumpers. In that same stretch, he played a season-best 26 minutes in consecutive games against Wisconsin and USC.
The Path Forward
Here's the reality: Dzepina's slight build is holding him back right now. He looks like Steinbach's little brother when they're out there together, and at just 19 years old, that's going to be a problem against some of the stronger competition. But if he puts in the work this offseason and adds the necessary weight, this kid could stick around Montlake for multiple seasons and become a genuinely productive college player. That's the upside. That's what has Sprinkle and the Husky faithful excited.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Dzepina Needs.
View X conversation →🔮 Trade Seattle Sports on Kalshi
Did you know you can trade on Seattle sports outcomes on Kalshi, the only federally regulated prediction market in the US? Kalshi is available in Washington state. Bet on Seahawks games, Mariners season outcomes, Kraken playoff runs, and more. No sportsbook account needed.
💰 Limited offer: Get a FREE $10 when you sign up!
👉 Sign up at Kalshi.com and use promo code SEATTLEONTAP to claim your free $10.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.