2026 Recruiting: Franck Kepang - Washington

[Hey Adrien!]

UConn in the mix for grad transfer big Franck Kepnang, who still has another year of eligibility after playing just two full seasons across the last six seasons at Oregon and Washington.

At 6'11 253, Kepnang is more of a blue-collar battler than a polished big, but he averaged 6.2p, 6.3r, 2.1b last season at Washington, starting nearly every game. EvanMiya.com ranked Kepnang as Washington's most efficient defender. His 9.9% block rate was 14th in the nation and he was top-20 in the Big Ten in both OR% and DR%. Would make for a physical tandem with Hines, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to continue a starting role somewhere else.

 

[TheHorde]

UConn in the mix for grad transfer big Franck Kepnang, who still has another year of eligibility after playing just two full seasons across the last six seasons at Oregon and Washington.

At 6'11 253, Kepnang is more of a blue-collar battler than a polished big, but he averaged 6.2p, 6.3r, 2.1b last season at Washington, starting nearly every game. EvanMiya.com ranked Kepnang as Washington's most efficient defender. His 9.9% block rate was 14th in the nation and he was top-20 in the Big Ten in both OR% and DR%. Would make for a physical tandem with Hines, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to continue a starting role somewhere else.

Dude looks like a force in the weight room

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

UConn in the mix for grad transfer big Franck Kepnang, who still has another year of eligibility after playing just two full seasons across the last six seasons at Oregon and Washington.

At 6'11 253, Kepnang is more of a blue-collar battler than a polished big, but he averaged 6.2p, 6.3r, 2.1b last season at Washington, starting nearly every game. EvanMiya.com ranked Kepnang as Washington's most efficient defender. His 9.9% block rate was 14th in the nation and he was top-20 in the Big Ten in both OR% and DR%. Would make for a physical tandem with Hines, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to continue a starting role somewhere else.

That looks like a Hurley kind of guy!!

 

[boog204]

Yes please… would be surprised if he’d want to be a 10-12mpg guy after starting, but overall the answer is yes. Blue collar battler who is physical sounds just about right.

 

[3rdbass]

UConn in the mix for grad transfer big Franck Kepnang, who still has another year of eligibility after playing just two full seasons across the last six seasons at Oregon and Washington.

At 6'11 253, Kepnang is more of a blue-collar battler than a polished big, but he averaged 6.2p, 6.3r, 2.1b last season at Washington, starting nearly every game. EvanMiya.com ranked Kepnang as Washington's most efficient defender. His 9.9% block rate was 14th in the nation and he was top-20 in the Big Ten in both OR% and DR%. Would make for a physical tandem with Hines, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to continue a starting role somewhere else.

Yeah I posted that in the general portal post. Looks like a good backup for Hines.

 

[uconn_jack]

If we pull off this guy for a backup center, I will never doubt Hurley again (not that I ever really have).

 

[RuffRuff]

Yeah I posted that in the general portal post. Looks like a good backup for Hines.

About the caliber we want - in a 5th year, could be happy to be along for the NC ride.

 

[3rdbass]

If we pull off this guy for a backup center, I will never doubt Hurley again (not that I ever really have).

We won't be lacking any muscle in the middle between this guy and Hines that is for sure.

 

[Stinger92860]

Play for a ring

 

[That Guy]

Good God, if we could get a soon to be 25 year old grown a** man who was a starter in the B1G to be a backup then wow...

 

[uconn_jack]

We won't be lacking any muscle in the middle between this guy and Hines that is for sure.

If the rest of the roster fills out in the direction its heading, we won't need the combined center position to average more than 10 ppg. Not to say they can't, but the potential rebounding and defense of a center tandem of Hines and Kepnang could be crazy.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

Yes please… would be surprised if he’d want to be a 10-12mpg guy after starting, but overall the answer is yes. Blue collar battler who is physical sounds just about right.

I don't think we should expect Hines to be a 30 min guy next year. Maybe in a couple of years. But he is coming in having played only 18 min per game this past year, has some conditioning work to do to build up his endurance, and given the 'Hurley Whistle' in the Big East will likely have some foul trouble games as well. It think 20-25 min is the likely goal for Hines next year.

Kepnang only averaged 22 min a game this past year for Washington. Would Kepnang be interested in a 15-20 mpg role for a National Championship contender and the elevated development and exposure at UConn over a 25-30 mpg role on a middle-tier power school? I don't think that is out of the question.

Let's go get him!

 

[3rdbass]

I don't think we should expect Hines to be a 30 min guy next year. Maybe in a couple of years. But he is coming in having played only 18 min per game this past year, has some conditioning work to do to build up his endurance, and given the 'Hurley Whistle' in the Big East will likely have some foul trouble games as well.

Kepang only averaged 22 min a game this past year for Washington. Would Kepang be interested in a 15-20 mpg role for a National Championship contender and the elevated development and exposure at UConn over a 25-30 mpg role on a middle-tier power school? I don't think that is out of the question.

Let's go get him!

Maybe Hines gets 25(he only averaged around 18 MPG as a Freshman) and this guy gets 15. He could get more if Hines gets in foul trouble too. Either way maybe having a chance to be on a potentially super successful team is worth it.

 

[alexd]

Our staff will need to get him in the weight room asap.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I could easily see the plan (if we land Big Franck) as being ~22/18 Hines/Kepang with an occasional variance due to fouls or impact in specific games.

 

[Karmacop]

And the BY tradition of butchering names continues.

Its "Kepnang" not "Kepang"

OP, kindly edit your title? You got it right in the body, so I'm guessing that was just an innocent typo. 😉

 

[Mr. French]

I remember this cat from his recruiting class. He’s a bruiser which everyone wants.

 

[Poe]

He looks the part at least

 

[TWRpastabar]

Would be his 7th yr of college basketball. How does this happen?

 

[uconn_jack]

If we have Hines and this kid (man), I don't think being on the small side at the 3 and 4 would be a big deal.

 

[uconn_jack]

Would be his 7th yr of college basketball. How does this happen?

Multiple medical redshirts.

 

[Fishy]

Would be his 7th yr of college basketball. How does this happen?

Google it. He's impressive, btw.

But not to throw cold water on this, but the injuries make me think there's not much to this.

How is he going to hold up for an entire season here when he can't at much easier places to play?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

And the BY tradition of butchering names continues.

This is the second new thread since 4pm today to have a recruit's name misspelled in the title.

Even with >400 posts in the original Khamenia thread, we now have a Khanenia thread.

We are very good at this.

 

[PAHusky]

This is the second new thread since 4pm today to have a recruit's name misspelled in the title.

Even with >400 posts in the original Khamenia thread, we now have a Khanenia thread.

We are very good at this.

Looking on the bright side here - the boneyard doesn’t see race or ethnicity or anything like that, everyone gets their name misspelled equally.

 

[navery12]

Do we actually know if he has eligibility? He'd be a great fit but not getting my hopes up for a 7th year guy unless I know there's a real chance

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

Would be his 7th yr of college basketball. How does this happen?

To put it in perspective....Kepnang will be playing college basketball this season and is older than Adama Sanogo and Andre Jackson. 😀

 

[auror]

He'll turn 25 before the season starts.

 

[SeattleHoop]

I have watched him in person against Gonzaga. When healthy he is an absolute monster. He dominated Graham Icke in the game I watched and it wasn’t close. The problem for him has been that he can only handle limited minutes due to injures. But limited minutes may be all we need in a backup role..

 

[Nameless]

Would absolutely love to have this guy, but what is the case for him getting a 7th year of eligibility?

He will be 25 when the season starts lmao

 

[Nameless]

Do we actually know if he has eligibility? He'd be a great fit but not getting my hopes up for a 7th year guy unless I know there's a real chance

I'm wondering the same thing. I remember when the rule was 8 games or less you could get another year of eligibility. Well, he's already gotten an extra year for seasons he played 8 and 10 games. Are they going to give him another year for the season he played 14? Lol

 

[Edward Sargent]

I think we need a boneyard representative on his PhD defense committee.

 

[AdamaNation]

He'll turn 25 before the season starts.

I actually think that’s awesome!! Seniors!!! Ha!! We have retirees!!

 

[HooperScooper]

And the BY tradition of butchering names continues.

Its "Kepnang" not "Kepang"

OP, kindly edit your title? You got it right in the body, so I'm guessing that was just an innocent typo. 😉

Wait, I thought I was the only who cared about spelling players' names right. We can't even spell the names right of our own players who have been here for multiple years. So you're expecting some on here to spell a player's name right who isn't on the team? That's crazy talk.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

He'll turn 25 before the season starts.

Even without knowing where he'll be playing next season, he's on the Krauser* Award watchlist.

* Carl

 

[Fishy]

Everyone should read about where this kid came from before we carry on with our jokes.

 

[GlastonTim]

Everyone should read about where this kid came from before we carry on with our jokes.

Link?

 

[Jholla2183]

Living in Seattle and knowing what I know about UW and Franck, he’s extremely intelligent, and his education is huge to him. I’m assuming he’s pursuing an advanced degree, and he’ll likely choose a school that offers that degree. But I do think the chance to play for a championship is equal to that degree.

 

[FlyChigga]

Recruit him and let him compete for starter with Hines this year. Hines will have a good shot of winning it and it gives opportunity for both. Love these moves of bringing in some big athletic Africans that will block shots and protect the rim. We were too soft in the paint at times this year. St John’s and Michigan were exposing us. My Nigerian friend who moved back home told me everyone at the courts there hustles and plays hard on defense.

 

[Scrutineer]

UConn in the mix for grad transfer big Franck Kepnang, who still has another year of eligibility after playing just two full seasons across the last six seasons at Oregon and Washington.

At 6'11 253, Kepnang is more of a blue-collar battler than a polished big, but he averaged 6.2p, 6.3r, 2.1b last season at Washington, starting nearly every game. EvanMiya.com ranked Kepnang as Washington's most efficient defender. His 9.9% block rate was 14th in the nation and he was top-20 in the Big Ten in both OR% and DR%. Would make for a physical tandem with Hines, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to continue a starting role somewhere else.

He has a slew of partial seasons so his appeal, though helped by having been at Oregon during the Covid year, for a seventh year is not a done deal. Seems he'd be the perfect guy to pair with Hines, for both of them, as he could share his experience and not be at as much risk for further lost games due to injuries caused by excessive playing time. How's that for rationalization?

Franck Kepnang enters the transfer portal and fans all have the same question

Franck Kepnang seemed all but set to return for the Huskies for another season, but then, suddenly, days into the portal being opened, he submitted his name. He

thehuskyhaul.com

 

[CL82]

UConn in the mix for grad transfer big Franck Kepnang, who still has another year of eligibility after playing just two full seasons across the last six seasons at Oregon and Washington.

At 6'11 253, Kepnang is more of a blue-collar battler than a polished big, but he averaged 6.2p, 6.3r, 2.1b last season at Washington, starting nearly every game. EvanMiya.com ranked Kepnang as Washington's most efficient defender. His 9.9% block rate was 14th in the nation and he was top-20 in the Big Ten in both OR% and DR%. Would make for a physical tandem with Hines, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to continue a starting role somewhere else.

Fair warning, if we get this guy, I am very likely to post KEPNANG!! in the chat after any dunks by him.

 

[Scrutineer]

If the rest of the roster fills out in the direction its heading, we won't need the combined center position to average more than 10 ppg. Not to say they can't, but the potential rebounding and defense of a center tandem of Hines and Kepnang could be crazy.

Plus, imagine what it'll be like when we go double bigs.............

 

[CL82]

And the BY tradition of butchering names continues.

 

[Hoophound]

A guy like this would give me supreme confidence in our ability to play the game SJU likes to give us. Hines was a great start but adding this monster would be unreal for topping off our tank on toughness.

 

[uconnfan68]

I actually think that’s awesome!! Seniors!!! Ha!! We have retirees!!

So there is hope for short, slow, old white guys?

 

[uconn_jack]

Plus, imagine what it'll be like when we go double bigs.............

Chief would cream his pants.