Hannes Steinbach debuting with 22, 7, 6 assists for Washington. Will be a very popular prospect in no time. Athletic in open floor, great instincts and hands around rim, high passing IQ out of rolls, threatening shotmaker. You know what you’re getting from him every night. pic.twitter.com/1WIxmleDEh

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 4, 2025

Hannes Steinbach’s stock is still rising.

The Washington Huskies standout freshman has been among the best big men in the country in the first four games of his college career, averaging 14.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest with 6 blocks and 3 steals, and is quickly becoming one of the most popular names in NBA draft circles.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo included the 6-foot-10 German as the No. 21 overall pick in his updated 2026 NBA mock draft, which would send him to the San Antonio Spurs and form one of the most promising young frontcourt combinations in the league alongside former No. 1 overall pick and budding megastar Victor Wembanyama.

“Among the most productive bigs in college basketball early on, Steinbach has been excellent on the glass and a stabilizing force for Washington,” Woo wrote.

“He certainly looks the part as a long-term NBA player, with a good understanding of his role up front, above-average mobility for his size, and capability as a passer playing out of short rolls. He is starting to separate himself from many of the other bigs projected outside the lottery and has room to rise based on his sheer production.”

While the thought of pairing of Steinbach with Wembanayama is tantalizing when considering how dominant that would make San Antonio on the glass, Danny Sprinkle is always quick to bring up Steinbach’s basketball IQ as one of his best features, which would be a perfect combination alongside the 7-foot-4 Frenchman, who is a truly unique player with the ball in his hands.

“He’s just so talented when he gets the ball. He might be our best passer. He’s basically a de facto point guard at 6-11. That’s just what he does. He gets us going because he’s a mismatch,” Sprinkle said after Washington’s season-opening win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.