When the Washington Huskies take to the floor for pregame warm-ups before tonight’s nonconference basketball game against Seattle University, there could be a new, but familiar face in uniform.
On Monday, coach Lorenzo Romar announced that Austin Seferian-Jenkins – the football team’s star freshman tight end from Gig Harbor – has joined the basketball team as a walk-on.
Romar said Seferian-Jenkins and his mother, Linda, met with coach Steve Sarkisian after the Alamo Bowl to discuss the situation and make a decision.
“I didn’t have to sell him on it,” Seferian-Jenkins said. “He’s an honest guy and he promised me when I committed to the University of Washington that I would have the opportunity to do both. So I didn’t have to sell him on anything. He just gave me the pros and cons and said you have my blessing to do what you want to do.”
Sarkisian, who is on the road recruiting, released a statement about the decision.
“It takes a tremendous athlete to be able to play football and basketball at the Pac-12 level, and Austin certainly has that sort of ability,” Sarkisian said. “It’s a great opportunity and I fully support him.”
Seferian-Jenkins will be the first athlete since Nate Robinson and Charles Frederick to play both basketball and football. Robinson did both for the 2002-03 school year before giving up football. Frederick played four years of football and the 2001-02 basketball season. Before that Reggie Rogers played both basketball and football from 1983 to 1986.
There have been past athletes who wanted to do both including wide receiver Devin Aguilar and former tight end Kavario Middleton. But it never materialized.
“Austin has probably been the most relentless in making sure (the football coaching staff) knew he wanted to play,” Romar said. “I think there were some others when they really evaluated how much hard work it would be, maybe they stepped back. But Austin was set and determined to play. I think maybe they saw that.”
Seferian-Jenkins isn’t intimidated by the extra work. He has played both sports since he can remember. He was an All-Narrows League player in both football and basketball. His senior season, he averaged 19 points and eight rebounds.
“I love basketball,” he said. “I’m just a go-go type of person. I don’t like just sitting around. I just like to go. I love both football and basketball a lot and I want to be able to play both of them if I can and I have a chance to. So (I’ve) got to follow my dreams and play both.”
The biggest concern is the risk of injury. Seferian-Jenkins earned honorable mention all-Pac-12 honors and was one of the top freshmen tight ends in the country. He brought an added dimension to the passing game, catching 41 passes for 538 yards and six touchdowns.
An injury in basketball could be catastrophic for the 2012 football season. But Seferian-Jenkins shrugged off questions of risk.
“Why risk it? Because you can get hurt walking outside on the street,” he said. “I could hurt myself walking down the street. I’ve done this and, like I said, I can’t predict the future. No one can predict the future. If I get hurt, I get hurt but I’m not going to think or play like I’ve got to be careful. No, I’m going to go all out and whatever happens, happens. I’m not really worried about that. I play with no fear and no reservations.”
While Seferian-Jenkins will possibly suit up today and for Saturday’s game against Washington State, he likely won’t play.
“He hasn’t played a real game in a year, hasn’t learned our system, hasn’t played at this level and we are in the middle of Pac-12 play,” Romar said. “He’s going to practice with us first. We have to see him get on the floor a few times.”
Seferian-Jenkins said he’ll be satisfied with any playing time he gets, even if it’s none at all.
“I’m not the type of guy to just sit there and not work hard,” he said. “If I don’t play 10 minutes a game. I’m going to be the best practice player in the country, an All-American practice player.”
HUSKIES GAMEDAY
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY (3-10) AT WASHINGTON (9-6 OVERALL, 3-1 PAC-12)
7 p.m., Hec Edmundson Pavilion
TV: Root Sports RADIO: 950-AM, 102.9-FM
SERIES: Washington holds a 22-4 advantage and has won the past three games since the series restarted following a 29-year break.
PROBABLE STARTERS
British Aisle
Proprietor: Terri Williams
Address: Next door to the T-4-2 tea shop at 105 S. Meridian, downtown Puyallup
Grand opening: Saturday
Investment: About $20,000 from savings
The store: British products and baked goods. Williams will stock beverages, candy, cereal, custard powders and, among a few hundred more, a selection of what the British call biscuits but which Americans call cookies, and a selection of bangers, which we call sausage. She might even manage a nice bubble and squeak.
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
| Name, Pos | PPG | RPG | APG | FG Pct. | FT Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervante Burrell, G | 5.1 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 50.0 | 87.5 |
| Sterling Carter, G | 7.2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 29.0 | 80.0 |
| Aaron Broussard, F | 17.2 | 6.1 | 0.8 | 47.7 | 75.0 |
| Clarence Trent, F | 11.5 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 43.8 | 75.0 |
| Eric Wallace, F | 10.1 | 8.0 | 0.3 | 41.7 | 52.2 |
WASHINGTON
| Name, Pos | PPG | RPG | APG | FG Pct. | FT Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Gaddy, G | 8.9 | 2.5 | 4.9 | 44.5 | 63.6 |
| Terrence Ross, G | 14.3 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 45.3 | 76.5 |
| Tony Wroten, G | 16.5 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 50.5 | 51.5 |
| Darnell Gant, F | 7.5 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 51.2 | 75.0 |
| Aziz N'Diaye, C | 7.5 | 7.5 | 0.4 | 50.6 | 36.4 |
SCOUTING REPORT: Coach Lorenzo Romar calls Seattle U. – coached by former assistant Cameron Dollar – the best 3-10 team in the country. Redhawks senior Aaron Broussard scored 27 points against Virginia. He can drive to the basket, step back and shoot 3-pointers. DePaul transfer Eric Wallace is averaging 10.1 points and eight rebounds per game. Former Huskies forward Clarence Trent, from Gig Harbor, is averaging 11.5 points and five rebounds per game. Washington is coming off its first road win this season. Expect them to play at a fast tempo after grinding it out against Utah.
Next: Sunday vs. WSU, 4 p.m. at Hec Edmundson Pavilion
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483
ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
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