After supposedly declaring for the NBA Draft on April 6, ASU starting center Warren Washington was not on the list for early NBA Draft entrants released yesterday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Update: Washington is now in the portal (story to come)
Big news, as Washington was not on the early NBA Draft entrant list yesterday, seemingly setting up a return to #ASU and now is in the portal. https://t.co/pdNaIDkEMu
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) April 26, 2023
When Washington declared for the draft, he maintained his college eligibility and did not enter the transfer portal. He just decided he did not want to go through with the process.
Starting point guard Frankie Collins was on the list, and he is reportedly expected to come back. The latest day he can withdraw is May 31.
Warren Washington was not on the complete list for early NBA entrants at the deadline and is considered likely to return to ASU for another season, I’m told.
Frankie Collins was on the list but could return if he withdraws by the end of May. Marcus Bagley was also on the list.
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) April 26, 2023
Forward Marcus Bagley, who left the team early on in the season, was also on the list.
Washington has done a number of NIL promotions since his announced entry into the draft, including making an appearance at ASU’s spring football game.
Looking forward to getting my a first look of @KennyDillingham & @ASUFootball at tomorrows spring game! I’ll be by the @SunAngelNIL table near the north Coca-Cola Sun Deck before the game, make sure y’all come by and say hi. https://t.co/ahVrWdT4zU
— Warren Washington (@5warrenw) April 14, 2023
Washington averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in 34 starts for the Sun Devils last season.
Should Washington come back, ASU would appear to be set with its front court, as the Sun Devils picked up a commitment from LSU 7-footer Shawn Phillips yesterday.
ASU Roster Tracker (Main Pieces from End of Last Season)
Players gained from the portal (5): F Shawn Phillips (LSU), F Zane Meeks (USF), G Adam Miller (LSU), F Kamari Lands (Louisville), G Malachi Davis (Tallahassee CC)
Players lost to the portal (6): G Austin Nunez (Ole Miss), F Devan Cambridge (Oregon), F Duke Brennan (GCU), G Malcolm Flaggs (GCU), G DJ Horne (NC State), F/C Enoch Boakye (Fresno State)
Players lost to eligibility (2): G Desmond Cambridge Jr., G Luther Muhammad
Players with names in NBA Draft (option to return) (2): G Frankie Collins, F Marcus Bagley
Unannounced players (1): F Alonzo Gaffney
Returning players (1): G/F Jamiya Neal (removed name from portal)
Removed name from NBA Draft (1): F/C Warren Washington
Incoming freshmen (2): Four-star G Braelon Green (CA), four-star PF Akil Watson (NJ)
My Predicted Rotation As of Now
1. Collins (6-1) / Davis (6-4) / Green (6-3) / Neal (6-6) / Miller (6-3)
2. Miller / Davis / Green / Neal
3. Neal / Lands (6-8)
4. Gaffney (6-9) / Meeks (6-9) / Lands / Watson (6-8)
5. Washington (7-0) / Phillips (7-0) / Meeks / Gaffney
The Sun Devils can mix up these positions, as we saw them do several times last season (edited from last article to incorporate this). They appear to be set on big men now. They like to play a lot of three-guard lineups, so there is a role for all of the guards on the team right now, but they could use another backup guard (not sure what all of the guards’ roles will be) and small forward. Despite all of the departures, Hurley has done a terrific job of retooling the roster, going out and getting players from the transfer portal that fit ASU perfectly and have either proven themselves with experience or are young but were highly-rated recruits out of high school. Depth was a huge key for ASU’s success last season, and the Sun Devils will have it once again next season. Having what could be 11 quality players that make up the roster as of right now is a huge achievement that shouldn’t be overlooked, as Hurley said he wanted the roster to be complete by early May. The Sun Devils have two more roster spots they could choose to fill.