Inside UW’s 2026 Hoops Targets: Aklog, Alozie, and 5-Star Talent on the Radar
A look at the top basketball recruits Washington is targeting in the 2026 class, including local standout Yeabsera Aklog and five-star prospects from across the country.
Danny Sprinkle assembled a Top 20 2025 recruiting class, bringing in four four-star recruits. Can he build on this momentum for Washington’s 2026 class?
Here’s an early look at the Huskies' recruiting board for the 2026 recruiting cycle. Star ratings come from 247 Sports Composite.
Hometown Priority: Yeabsera Aklog Eyes the Huskies
Yeabsera Aklog (Eastside Catholic - WA) is a 6-11 forward who is ranked as the No. 1 2026 recruit in the state of Washington according to 247 Sports Composite. Aklog made an unofficial visit to Washington last October. After his visit, he told me the highlight of his visit was seeing the team practice, noting that it was “intense and the coaches paid a lot of attention to the small things.”
With summer approaching, Aklog says Washington is “up there” in his recruitment, noting that “it’s the hometown school.” He says he hopes to make another visit to Washington, but no plans are currently in place. He is hearing the most from Washington, LSU, Virginia Tech, and Jacksonville.
Huskies Enter the Five-Star Conversation
Another top recruit who visited Washington last fall is Ikenna Alozie (Dream City Christian - AZ). The five-star 6-4 guard reportedly visited Montlake last September. Alozie is ranked as the No. 1 combo guard in the 2026 class. As with all 2026 recruits, it is too early to make any guesses on Washington’s shot at landing Alozie, but it is a positive that the Huskies’ coaching staff has started building a relationship with him.
Sprinkle is also recruiting five-star wing Jalen Montonati (Owasso HS - OK). Washington offered Montonati last June. At 6-4, Montonati is ranked as the No. 1 2026 recruit in Oklahoma. For the Huskies, they will aim to stay on Montonati’s list, which he plans to cut down in mid-July.
Cameron Williams (St. Mary’s - AZ) is also on Washington’s radar. The Huskies offered the five-star 6-11 forward in May. A May scouting report by Adam Finkelstein says Williams has “mobility, athleticism, budding face-up skill, and defensive versatility.”
NBA Sons Drawing Interest
Tajh Ariza (St. John Bosco - CA), the son of former NBA player Trevor Ariza, is one of the top recruits in the country. Mike Hopkins’ staff was the first to offer the five-star recruit back in 2022. Sprinkle and the current UW staff have remained relevant in Ariza’s recruitment, but it remains to be seen if they can convince him to visit Montlake. Ariza has reportedly scheduled an official visit to Oregon in the fall.
Another UW recruit with NBA lineage is wing Jaxon Richardson (Columbus HS - FL). Sprinkle’s staff offered the son of Jason Ricardson in mid-May. The five-star recruit holds 18 offers, including Alabama, Florida, and Michigan.
Five More Names to Know in the 2026 Class
Dean Rueckert (Timpview - UT) is a four-star small forward and ranked as the No. 3 player in Utah. He initially received an offer in 2023 from the previous Washington coaching staff. Sprinkle and his staff have continued to recruit Rueckert. Back in March, Rueckert told me he “hear[s] from [UW’s] staff a couple times a week.” In April, he also told me he is “hoping” to schedule a visit to Washington, although he has no visits set yet.
The Huskies remain active in recruiting four-star guard Kalek House (Compass Prep - AZ). ESPN recently ranked House as the No. 10 point guard in the 2026 class. Washington offered the 6-3 guard in June 2024, and as of this January, the Huskies were leading his recruitment.
Kalek’s twin brother, four-star guard Kaden House (Compass Prepp - AZ), is also on Washington’s radar. Kaden, who also holds a UW offer, is 6-3 and looks like he is thriving in the AAU circuit. Earlier this month, he dropped 37 points in a game for his team High Major.
Washington is staying in contact with four-star guard Jermal Jones (IMG Academy - FL). The Huskies offered Jones in February with the hope of getting him on campus in the fall.
Small Forward Jacob Webber (Kearney HS - NE) received an offer from Washington last August. Webber, a four-star recruit, is the No. 1-ranked 2026 player in Nebraska. The Huskies continue to recruit the sharpshooter.