SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies men's basketball team is two weeks away from beginning its regular season.
The Huskies will open the 2026-27 season against the Colgate Red Raiders at 7 p.m. PT on Nov. 2 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.
Washington has already hit the court in preparation for this season in an exhibition game against the Boise State Broncos on Oct. 17, which the Huskies dropped 109-91.
The Huskies have one more exhibition game scheduled against the Washington State Cougars at 1 p.m. PT on Sunday at Alaska Airlines Arena. That will be the last stop before UW's season-opener.
In the lead up to Washington's final exhibition game, the team held a practice open to the media Tuesday at Alaska Airlines Arena.
Here are several takeaways from Tuesday's practice:
Newcomers acclimating to new environment
The Huskies had nine newcomers to the roster this offseason: one Class of 2026 commitment, six transfer portal additions and two international signees.
In Tuesday's practice, Texas Tech Red Raiders transfer and fifth-year forward LeJuan Watts was a go-to option on offense and was able to convert from the post and from 3-point range.
Eighth-year wing and Gonzaga Bulldogs transfer Steele Venters and Davidson Wildcats transfer and fourth-year guard Parker Friedrichsen both attempted a high number of 3-pointers and converted on several of them.
Brazilian forward Wini Braga, who joined the team from professional league Novo Basquete Brasil, was also an active participant in the rebound game.
Parker Friedrichsen finished with 13 points, a career-high 7 assists, and 3 steals last night.
— Davidson Basketball (@DavidsonMBB) December 14, 2025
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Returning players leading by example
Washington had six returning players to the team this season. Only one, fourth-year Wesley Yates III, had significant experience as a starter.
One of the returning players, third-year center Lathan Sommerville, was one of the most vocal players on the court and, as he was last season, one of the most competitive.
The team is mostly newcomers, but the returners will be tasked with being vocal leaders and helping build the chemistry, which it seems like they're making an effort to do.
International players impress
The team's two international signings, Braga and Australian guard Tristan Devers, both had solid practices Tuesday.
Braga was aggressive attempting to get rebounds and jumped into pass lanes. Devers ran at the point guard during several drill periods and also was one of the team's most aggressive perimeter defenders.
Braga played 13 minutes in the team's exhibition game loss against the Broncos and Devers didn't register playing time.
Other notes
Two players sat out of Tuesday's practice, one of whom didn't play in the team's game against Boise State. Fourth-year point guard and San Francisco transfer Ryan Beasley and fifth-year forward Mady Traore, who missed all of last season with a foot injury, also sat out. Both were getting work on exercise bikes and rowing machines.