Danny Sprinkle had Austin Birley on campus for an unofficial visit in early September and Sprinkle chose not to spend the time selling a role.
“Coach Sprinkle didn’t talk about my role much,” Birley told SeaTown Sports. “He mainly just said to keep focusing on improving, but more than anything, let my body rest and grow all that it can.”
For a 6'5" point guard in the 2028 class, it’s a notably patient message from a staff that has made in-state 2028 prospects a priority. Birley, who plays at West Valley High School in Yakima, holds offers from Washington, Montana, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, Washington State, Saint Louis, and Seattle U.
The visit gave him his first look at UW’s new practice facility.
“The campus, and especially the basketball facility, stood out,” Birley said. “That was the first time I’d seen the new practice gym, and that was really nice.”
The visit also lined up with a Husky football game, and the crowd made an impression.
“The fan base at the football game also really stood out,” he said.
The rest of the visit was less about basketball and more about getting acquainted with the staff, including the coaches Sprinkle recently added.
“Conversations went good — it was a lot of just normal conversations, getting to know each other,” Birley said. “It was nice to meet the whole staff and the new coaches they just brought in.”
Sprinkle recently hired Charles Klask and DeAndre Haynes as assistant coaches this past offseason.
As for where things stand, Birley is in no hurry.
“I haven’t narrowed down schools or anything yet,” he said. “It’s super early on in my recruiting, so I haven’t thought much about that at all.”
That leaves Washington among the schools in the mix for one of the state’s 2028 guards. With nearly two years until he signs, the rest-and-grow approach may turn out to be good advice for everyone involved.