Washington Huskies men lose Zoom Diallo to transfer portal

Zoom Diallo dropped a bombshell on the Washington men’s basketball when he announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal next week.

“After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to do what’s best for my future and my family,” he posted on his social media account Friday afternoon. “I will be entering the transfer portal while still keeping the option open to return to Washington.”

The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard from Tacoma averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while starting 51 of 64 games at Washington.

Last year, when the UW program appeared adrift after losing 12 players, including seven to the portal, Diallo helped stabilize the situation and was one of two players who returned following a 13-18 finish in coach Danny Sprinkle’s first season with the Huskies.

Last season, he was second among the Huskies in points (15.7 per game), first in assists (4.5) and third in rebounding (3.9) while starting 29 of 33 games. He shot 48.9% from the field, 31.5% on three-pointers and 82.5% on free throws.

“I’m really proud of Zoom and the way he’s stepped up,” Sprinkle said after Diallo scored a career-high 26 points during Washington’s 91-72 win over USC on March 4. “He has. I’ve put a lot on his plate because I’ve had to. We just haven’t had the numbers. We’re asking a lot out of him and he’s been phenomenal.

“When he brings that effort and energy, we’re at our best. … Everyone else feeds off that and quite frankly, that’s how it’s been all year. When he’s driving and getting downhill, it opens things up for everybody.”

Diallo played his best in Washington’s first-ever Big Ten tournament appearance. He tallied 22 points and 11 assists to help the Huskies beat USC 83-79 in overtime in the second round last month.

In what will likely be his final UW appearance, Diallo had 24 points, four rebounds and seven assists during an 85-82 loss against Wisconsin on March 12. The Huskies finished 16-17.

Not so long ago, Diallo believed he’d play his entire collegiate career at Washington much like his mentor Isaiah Thomas, another Tacoma native and UW legend whose No. 2 banner hangs in the rafters at Alaska Airlines Arena.

“It gives me a lot of motivation when I’m working out in the gym and I look up and I see those banners of Brandon Roy, and especially Isaiah Thomas (because) he’s somebody who I’m close to from in my same area,” Diallo said in January. “It really just shows how possible it is to have a great legacy at UW.”

Diallo, one of three UW captains this season, has 862 points and was on pace to finish among the top five scorers in Husky history behind Christian Welp (2,073), C.J. Wilcox (1,880), Andrew Andrews (1,812) and Jon Brockman (1,804).

“Growing up, it was always a dream of mine to play for UW. Being able to wear ‘Washington’ across my chest is something I’ll never take for granted,” said Diallo, who played three years Curtis High in University Place before transferring to powerhouse Prolific Prep in California. “I want to thank the University of Washington for the opportunity. I’m thankful for all the memories and relationships I built during my time here. I especially appreciate Coach Sprinkle for believing in me and helping me grow on and off the court.

“To my teammates over the last two years, thank you for everything. The bond we built means a lot to me, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever. And to the fans and the Seattle community, thank you for always showing love to a hometown kid and sticking with me through the ups and downs. I’m forever grateful, for real.”

Diallo is the third Husky to announce he’s entering the portal following freshmen guards Courtland Muldrew and JJ Mandaquit.

Washington has eight scholarship players on the roster including Hannes Steinbach, Wesley Yates III, Franck Kepnang, Lathan Sommerville, Bryson Tucker, Nikola Dzepina, Jasir Rencher and Mady Traore.

Division I teams are allowed to carry as many as 15 players.

The transfer portal opens Tuesday and the new 15-day window closes April 21.