Former Husky, USC Guard Wesley Yates III Returning To Montlake
April 14, 2025 | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE – Washington head men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle has announced the return of a familiar name on Montlake, signing four star guard Wesley Yates III out of the transfer portal.
The Beaumont, Texas, native is UW's fourth addition from the transfer portal, ranking as the No. 21 overall player and the No. 4 combo guard per 247Sports. With the signing, the Huskies own the No. 7 transfer class in the nation per On3, No. 8 per 247Sports.
"We are ecstatic to have Wesley back in a Husky uniform," Sprinkle said. "Once he entered the portal, everyone in the country tried to get him but his familiarity with UW and the people here gave us an advantage. Our staff views Wes as one of the elite shooting guards in the entire country and we feel that not only his talent, but his leadership and work ethic will be tremendous for our program. When I arrived on Montlake, one of the first things I noticed was his commitment, working tirelessly and diligently in the gym despite not being fully cleared by training staff. He is an absolute gym rat!"
Yates, who redshirted his true freshman season at Washington due to injury, spent the past season at USC, where he averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Yates brought his game to another level in Big Ten play, posting averages of 17.0 points, 3.1 boards and 2.1 assists.
The 6-4 guard was efficient from the floor, tallying a 47.8 percent shooting percentage, including 43.9 percent from behind the arc, and 79.8 percent from the free throw line. In league play, Yates' percentages shot up to 50.4 percent on field goals and 47.6 percent from three.
Yates racked up 25 games with double digit points in 2024-25, including a stretch of 20-of-21 games to close the season. The Lone Star State product's marquee performance of the season came at No. 7 Purdue, knocking down 11-of-22 shots en route to his first 30-point outing.
"Obviously, we saw first hand what Wesley is capable this season," Sprinkle continued. "He had arguably his breakout game against us and then he really put the nation on notice against Purdue. Looking at all the young talent in the Big Ten, with probably five or six guys about to be drafted, for him to be the league's leading freshman scorer in conference play really says something. We're extremely excited to add a guard like Wesley who can create his own shot and score in bunches."
Yates signed with Washington ahead of the 2023-24 season out of Beaumont United High School as a consensus four star prospect, ranking No. 37 in ESPN's Top-100, the No. 10 shooting guard in America.
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The Beaumont, Texas, native is UW's fourth addition from the transfer portal, ranking as the No. 21 overall player and the No. 4 combo guard per 247Sports. With the signing, the Huskies own the No. 7 transfer class in the nation per On3, No. 8 per 247Sports.
"We are ecstatic to have Wesley back in a Husky uniform," Sprinkle said. "Once he entered the portal, everyone in the country tried to get him but his familiarity with UW and the people here gave us an advantage. Our staff views Wes as one of the elite shooting guards in the entire country and we feel that not only his talent, but his leadership and work ethic will be tremendous for our program. When I arrived on Montlake, one of the first things I noticed was his commitment, working tirelessly and diligently in the gym despite not being fully cleared by training staff. He is an absolute gym rat!"
Yates, who redshirted his true freshman season at Washington due to injury, spent the past season at USC, where he averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Yates brought his game to another level in Big Ten play, posting averages of 17.0 points, 3.1 boards and 2.1 assists.
The 6-4 guard was efficient from the floor, tallying a 47.8 percent shooting percentage, including 43.9 percent from behind the arc, and 79.8 percent from the free throw line. In league play, Yates' percentages shot up to 50.4 percent on field goals and 47.6 percent from three.
Yates racked up 25 games with double digit points in 2024-25, including a stretch of 20-of-21 games to close the season. The Lone Star State product's marquee performance of the season came at No. 7 Purdue, knocking down 11-of-22 shots en route to his first 30-point outing.
"Obviously, we saw first hand what Wesley is capable this season," Sprinkle continued. "He had arguably his breakout game against us and then he really put the nation on notice against Purdue. Looking at all the young talent in the Big Ten, with probably five or six guys about to be drafted, for him to be the league's leading freshman scorer in conference play really says something. We're extremely excited to add a guard like Wesley who can create his own shot and score in bunches."
Yates signed with Washington ahead of the 2023-24 season out of Beaumont United High School as a consensus four star prospect, ranking No. 37 in ESPN's Top-100, the No. 10 shooting guard in America.
Follow @UW_MBB on X/Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates on Husky basketball.
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