2026 Recruiting: Franck Kepang - Washington

[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.