{"id":743697,"date":"2026-05-25T16:12:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T16:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/743697\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T16:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T16:12:27","slug":"washingtons-hannes-steinbach-earning-respect-before-the-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/743697\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington\u2019s Hannes Steinbach Earning Respect Before the NBA Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 NBA<\/a> draft is inching closer, and Washington<\/a>\u2018s Hannes Steinbach is one of the more fascinating names to emerge from the list of NBA hopefuls.<\/p>\n

While schools like Duke and North Carolina always see players go in the first round, it\u2019s special to have a Washington player making the cut.<\/p>\n

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In a mock out on Saturday, May 23, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report names his<\/a> projections for the upcoming draft. He has the Washington product going at No. 15 to the Chicago Bulls<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More sports news:\u00a0Chiefs Got a Steal in the NFL Draft With Unassuming Fifth-Round Addition<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cChicago\u2019s effort to grow bigger, stronger and more physical this summer would be furthered with this selection,\u201d he states. \u201cSteinbach absolutely aced the measuring-tape tests at the Combine, showing the right size-length combo (6\u201910\u201d barefoot with a 7\u20192\u2033 wingspan) and added bulk (248 pounds, up from 220 at the start of the college season).\u201d<\/p>\n

My Analysis: Washington\u2019s Hannes Steinbach is Making Noise\"CHICAGO,<\/p>\n

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS \u2013 MARCH 11: Hannes Steinbach #6 of the Washington Huskies drives to the basket against Ezra Ausar #2 of the USC Trojans in the first half during the second round of the 2026 Big Ten Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 11, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More sports news:\u00a0Bulls Down to 3 Likely Top Draft Picks \u2014 Here\u2019s the Best Fit<\/a><\/p>\n

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Steinbach\u2019s rebounding ability might actually be one of the best skills in this entire draft class. He\u2019s constantly active around the basket, crashes the glass hard and seems to have a natural instinct for tracking down rebounds on both ends of the floor, which is unique. That kind of energy and effort is something every NBA team values.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also much more polished offensively than some people realize. He plays with toughness and confidence inside, which makes him difficult to handle near the basket.\u00a0What could really take his game to another level, though, is his outside shot. He\u2019s shown flashes of being able to step out and knock down perimeter jumpers, and if that part of his game keeps developing, he could become a nightmare matchup.<\/p>\n

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