UW Huskies guard Erik Stevenson granted eligibility waiver for 2020-21 season
The NCAA approved an eligibility waiver for Washington junior guard Erik Stevenson on Thursday. A Lacey native and former Timberline High School star, Stevenson will be able to play in the upcoming 2020-21 season.
The Huskies are still waiting on the NCAA’s decision on Michigan sophomore transfer Cole Bajema.
Stevenson arrived at UW after two seasons at Wichita State, where he averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists as a sophomore last season. He was the Shockers’ second-leading scorer.
“He can really shoot the ball,” UW head coach Mike Hopkins said Thursday during Pac-12 media day. “He’s a high-level competitor. He makes plays. … You bring in a high-level shooter/scorer and a guy who really, really competes on both ends of the floor.”
He’s expected to play a key role for the Huskies as Hopkins introduces a new guard-heavy offensive philosophy that will lean on speed and 3-point shooting. Stevenson shot 37.7% from the field last season, including 30.4% from the three-point line.
“It’s big,” Hopkins said of Stevenson’s offensive impact. “Experience matters. Experience in tough conferences matters. Not just his experience and his skill level — he’s an exceptionally talented player with a high IQ — but he’s a competitor. You can see it in our practices, the level of competition that he’s brought. He’s tough.”
Originally a three-star recruit in the Class of 2018, Stevenson was considered the No. 31 shooting guard and the No. 193 player in the country. He chose Wichita State in June 2017 over offers from Washington, Washington State, Utah and LSU, among others.
“(Stevenson’s) just a hard worker,” said UW senior Hameir Wright. “Hard worker, very competitive. He kind of took me by surprise, this being my first time meeting and stuff this past summer, obviously. You get to know the guy and he’s a great, hard worker. He’s a very skilled basketball player. He’ll give it everything he’s got.”
As a senior at Timberline, Stevenson averaged 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.7 blocks as a senior. He earned All-Class 3A honors from The News Tribune, the Associated Press and The Seattle Times. Stevenson, who set Timberline records for single-game (45), season (717) and career (1,861) scoring, was also The Olympian’s 2018 Area Player of the Year.
Stevenson’s waiver approval wasn’t surprising. Head coach Gregg Marshall is facing accusations of misconduct, including shoving a player and putting his hands around the neck of a staff member, The Athletic reported. Marshall and Wichita State are expected to part ways shortly, according to reports.
Six scholarship Wichita State players plus a walk-on transferred after the 2019-20 season. All five players who transferred to Division I schools received waivers.
Non-conference schedule released
The Huskies released their non-conference schedule on Thursday.
They will start the season by hosting the Husky Classic at Alaska Airlines Arena. The home opener will be on Nov. 25 against Portland State followed by games at San Diego (Nov. 27) and Cal State Fullerton (Nov. 28).
UW wraps up non-conference play against Colorado in Las Vegas on Dec 20. While the Buffaloes are a conference opponent, that game won’t count toward the Pac-12 standings.
The Huskies’ will play two early Pac-12 games at at Utah on Dec. 3 and at home against Oregon on Dec. 12.
2020-21 non-conference schedule
Husky Classic (Alaska Airlines Arena, Nov. 25-28)
Nov. 25: Portland State
Nov. 27: San Diego
Nov. 28: Cal State Fullerton
*Dec. 3: at Utah (Pac-12 Conference game)
Dec. 9: Seattle U
*Dec. 12: Oregon (Pac-12 Conference game)
Dec. 16: Montana
Dec. 20: vs. Colorado in Las Vegas (not a Pac-12 Conference game)
Noteworthy
▪ The Huskies were picked by the media to finish ninth in the Pac-12 Conference ahead of Cal, Washington State and Oregon State, respectively. UCLA was picked to win the conference with 251 points and nine first-place votes. Arizona State was picked second, receiving 246 points and five first-place votes. Oregon, Stanford and Arizona rounded out the top five, respectively.
▪ UW point guard Quade Green, who missed the second half of the 2019-20 season after being declared academically ineligible, was a preseason All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection. He was the only UW player to receive any preseason honors.
▪ Jackson Grant officially signed with UW on Thursday for the Class of 2021. The Olympia star is ranked No. 38 in ESPN’s top 100. He’s considered by 247Sports to be the No. 3 player in Washington and the No. 106 player in the country. He averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds as a junior last season. ‘’He’s got great size and is very skilled for his position and is a proven winner that will be a great addition to our program,” Hopkins said in a statement.
This story was originally published November 12, 2020 at 3:13 PM.
