Desmond Claude to enter transfer portal after 12 games at Washington

TL;DR

Desmond Claude has entered the transfer portal after 12 games with the Washington Huskies, averaging 13.3 points per game. His decision follows a knee injury and limited playing time, raising concerns about his future with the team.

After a brief, mysterious time with the Washington Huskies, Desmond Claude has re-entered his name into the transfer portal.

Following a pair of torn ligaments in his ankle that cost him the end of summer camp and the first few weeks of the season, the highly-touted USC transfer averaged 13.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game across his 12 appearances before announcing ahead of Washington's 80-63 loss to Michigan State that he would be stepping away from the team to deal with a knee injury.

That announcement came on the heels of a curious week, where coach Danny Sprinkle appeared very frustrated when talking about Claude. First, he didn't play in the final 11 minutes of Washington's loss at Purdue, before he was benched for UW's win over Ohio State in what the head coach called a team decision.

Then, he played just eight minutes in Washington's loss to the eventual national champions, the Michigan Wolverines, before announcing his intentions to step away from the team two days later.

"He says he's injured and at the University of Washington, we have an elite student healthcare," Sprinkle said after the loss to Michigan State. "It's one of the best in the entire world, and it's centered around every student athlete being taken care of, not just every student athlete, every student on campus. We're here for him, and that's pretty much all I can say right now."

According to multiple reports, in order to return to the college ranks, Claude will need to apply for an NCAA waiver for the 2026-27 season.

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Desmond Claude enters transfer portal after brief Washington stint

Q&A

Why did Desmond Claude leave the Washington Huskies?

Desmond Claude left the team to deal with a knee injury after experiencing limited playing time and frustration from the coaching staff.

What were Desmond Claude's stats during his time at Washington?

During his 12 appearances at Washington, Desmond Claude averaged 13.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

What injuries did Desmond Claude face while at Washington?

Desmond Claude suffered torn ligaments in his ankle that affected his early season and later dealt with a knee injury that contributed to his decision to transfer.