Franck Kepnang Walks Away: Washington Basketball Loses Its Longest-Tenured Player to Transfer Portal
The Washington Huskies men's basketball team is about to lose one of its most consistent pieces. Sixth-year center Franck Kepnang announced Tuesday morning that he's entering the transfer portal, marking another blow to a roster that's been gutted by departures for three straight years.
"I believe it is time to take the next step in my journey," Kepnang said on social media. "I look forward to seeing that the future holds, including the possibility of wearing the Purple and Gold one last time." The 6-foot-11 center is banking on an NCAA medical hardship waiver that would allow him to play a seventh season somewhere else.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThe Last Four Years at Washington Tell a Brutal Story
Kepnang came to UW after spending two years at Oregon, and he's been a fixture on the court for the past four seasons. But injuries derailed three of those years, keeping the big man from ever really getting rolling. Last season was supposed to be his redemption arc. He put up 6.2 points and 6.3 rebounds across 27 games, starting 25 of them. But then a knee injury sidelined him for the final six games, and now he's out.
The Portal Exodus Continues
Kepnang is the seventh Husky to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Zoom Diallo, Desmond Claude, Bryson Tucker, JJ Mandaquit, Courtland Muldrew, and Christian Nitu all hit the portal before him. On Monday, Mandaquit committed to Arizona while Nitu headed to McNeese State. The bleeding hasn't stopped either. Washington did land a commitment from Davidson transfer Parker Friedrichsen, but that's cold comfort when you're losing this many players.
The remaining scholarship players left standing are Hannes Steinbach, Wesley Yates III, Lathan Sommerville, Jasir Rencher, Nikola Dzepina, and Mady Traore. That's it. That's the core UW has to rebuild around as the portal closes April 21.
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