UW Huskies Freshman PG to Enter Transfer Portal

JJ Mandaquit, a former four-star recruit, plans to leave the program after one season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player's jump shot broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the transition and change facing the UW Huskies roster.The departure of two top freshmen signals a pivotal offseason of roster rebuilding for the UW Huskies men's basketball program.Hilo Today

UW Huskies freshman point guard JJ Mandaquit is planning to enter the transfer portal, according to ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello. Mandaquit, a former four-star recruit, appeared in 22 games and made six starts as a true freshman, averaging 5.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Why it matters

Mandaquit's decision to enter the transfer portal is a significant loss for the Huskies, as he was a highly touted recruit in their 2025 class. His departure, along with that of fellow freshman Courtland Muldrew, means the Huskies will need to rebuild their backcourt for the upcoming season.

The details

Mandaquit, a 6-foot-1 guard, began the season in the Huskies' starting lineup before moving to a bench role. He had surgery on a foot injury in February and missed the final 11 games of the season. Mandaquit was ranked as the country's sixth-ranked point guard and 50th-ranked overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247sports' composite rankings.

  • Mandaquit appeared in 22 games and made six starts as a true freshman for the Huskies this season.
  • Mandaquit had surgery on a foot injury in February and missed the final 11 games of the season.
  • The transfer portal opens on April 7 and closes April 21.

The players

JJ Mandaquit

A 6-foot-1 freshman point guard who was a four-star recruit and prized piece of the Huskies' 2025 recruiting class.

Danny Sprinkle

The head coach of the UW Huskies men's basketball team.

Courtland Muldrew

A former four-star guard who was also part of the Huskies' 2025 recruiting class and has announced he is entering the transfer portal.

Hannes Steinbach

A standout freshman forward for the Huskies who is expected to leave the program and declare for the NBA draft.

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What’s next

The transfer portal opens on April 7, and Mandaquit will have until April 21 to officially enter his name.

The takeaway

Mandaquit's decision to enter the transfer portal is a significant blow to the Huskies, who will need to rebuild their backcourt after losing two highly touted freshmen. The team will have to work quickly to fill these roster spots and remain competitive in the Big Ten.