Born Abroad. Built At Washington. UW To Retire Jerseys Of Christian Welp And Detlef Schrempf
November 26, 2025 | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE โ The University of Washington Department of Athletics will honor the legacy and influence of Christian Welp and Detlef Schrempf with a pair of jersey retirement ceremonies this men's basketball season.
The celebration begins on Nov. 29 when Welp's family and Schrempf and his family will be recognized on the field during the UW football game against Oregon at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
Welp's #40 jersey will be raised to the rafters in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Jan. 11, 2026.
Schrempf's #22 will join Welp and previously retired men's basketball jerseys, Isaiah Thomas, Brandon Roy and Bob Houbregs on Feb. 28., 2026.
"The story of Washington basketball cannot be told without Christian Welp and Detlef Schrempf," said Director of Athletics Pat Chun. "Both were pioneers of international basketball, elevated the game globally, and had exceptional careers on Montlake. We look forward to honoring their impact and celebrating their lasting place in UW history later this season."
Born Abroad. Built at Washington.ย
Welp and Schrempf arrived on Montlake from opposite sides of Germany, yet their paths converged to ignite one of the most significant periods in Washington men's basketball history.ย
Intertwined for two seasons on Montlake, the two big men led the Huskies to back-to-back Pac-10 titles and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1984 and 1985, including reaching the Sweet 16 in 1984. UW went a combined 46-17 and 28-8 in conference play during those two seasons.
Welp remains the only Husky to score 2,000 points and is the all-time leader in points, blocks and field goal makes while ranking in the top five in rebounds and field goal percentage. He was the 1986 Pac-10 Player of the Year and a three-time All-Conference selection. He was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year 1984.
Schrempf was a two-time Pac-10 All-Conference selection and finished his four-year career with 1,449 points, which ranks 18th all time. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and free throw percentage in the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons and averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over his four-year career. He was named the team's captain his senior season.
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Both Husky Legends were first-round NBA draft picks. Schrempf was selected 8th overall in 1985 by the Dallas Mavericks, while Welp was selected 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1987.ย
Welp played three seasons for the 76ers, Spurs and Warriors before going on to play nine professional seasons in Europe, winning six German national league championships, three German Cups and winning the EuroBasket gold medal in 1993 while earning MVP of the tournament.
During a 16-year NBA career that included three All-Star selections, Schrempf was named Sixth Man of the Year twice in 1991 and 1992, averaging 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds and 17.3 points and a career-high 9.6 rebounds, respectively, for the Indiana Pacers. He became the first European player to be named Sixth Man of the Year and the first to be selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game. Schrempf was also named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1995 after averaging a career-high 19.2 points and shooting 52 percent. A mainstay in Seattle basketball culture, Schrempf played six seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics and helped them reach the NBA Finals in 1996.
Schrempf was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 1995 and Welp received his purple jacket in 2001.
Welp retired to his home in Seattle after his playing days and passed away in 2015 on Hood Canal at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife, Melanie, and children, Allison, Collin and Nic.
Schrempf remains in Seattle with his wife Mari. They have two sons, Alex and Michael.
Purchase tickets for the Jan. 11 men's basketball game against Ohio State and Feb. 28 game against Wisconsin.
Visit GoHuskies.com/Welp and GoHuskies.com/Schrempf for more in-depth looks at the two honorees and follow @UW_MBB for the latest updates.
About Washington Athletics
Washington athletic teams have claimed 56 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship, also in men's rowing (2024). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 320 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
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The celebration begins on Nov. 29 when Welp's family and Schrempf and his family will be recognized on the field during the UW football game against Oregon at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
Welp's #40 jersey will be raised to the rafters in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Jan. 11, 2026.
Schrempf's #22 will join Welp and previously retired men's basketball jerseys, Isaiah Thomas, Brandon Roy and Bob Houbregs on Feb. 28., 2026.
"The story of Washington basketball cannot be told without Christian Welp and Detlef Schrempf," said Director of Athletics Pat Chun. "Both were pioneers of international basketball, elevated the game globally, and had exceptional careers on Montlake. We look forward to honoring their impact and celebrating their lasting place in UW history later this season."
Born Abroad. Built at Washington.ย
Welp and Schrempf arrived on Montlake from opposite sides of Germany, yet their paths converged to ignite one of the most significant periods in Washington men's basketball history.ย
Intertwined for two seasons on Montlake, the two big men led the Huskies to back-to-back Pac-10 titles and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1984 and 1985, including reaching the Sweet 16 in 1984. UW went a combined 46-17 and 28-8 in conference play during those two seasons.
Welp remains the only Husky to score 2,000 points and is the all-time leader in points, blocks and field goal makes while ranking in the top five in rebounds and field goal percentage. He was the 1986 Pac-10 Player of the Year and a three-time All-Conference selection. He was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year 1984.
Schrempf was a two-time Pac-10 All-Conference selection and finished his four-year career with 1,449 points, which ranks 18th all time. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and free throw percentage in the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons and averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over his four-year career. He was named the team's captain his senior season.
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Both Husky Legends were first-round NBA draft picks. Schrempf was selected 8th overall in 1985 by the Dallas Mavericks, while Welp was selected 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1987.ย
Welp played three seasons for the 76ers, Spurs and Warriors before going on to play nine professional seasons in Europe, winning six German national league championships, three German Cups and winning the EuroBasket gold medal in 1993 while earning MVP of the tournament.
During a 16-year NBA career that included three All-Star selections, Schrempf was named Sixth Man of the Year twice in 1991 and 1992, averaging 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds and 17.3 points and a career-high 9.6 rebounds, respectively, for the Indiana Pacers. He became the first European player to be named Sixth Man of the Year and the first to be selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game. Schrempf was also named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1995 after averaging a career-high 19.2 points and shooting 52 percent. A mainstay in Seattle basketball culture, Schrempf played six seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics and helped them reach the NBA Finals in 1996.
Schrempf was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 1995 and Welp received his purple jacket in 2001.
Welp retired to his home in Seattle after his playing days and passed away in 2015 on Hood Canal at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife, Melanie, and children, Allison, Collin and Nic.
Schrempf remains in Seattle with his wife Mari. They have two sons, Alex and Michael.
Purchase tickets for the Jan. 11 men's basketball game against Ohio State and Feb. 28 game against Wisconsin.
Visit GoHuskies.com/Welp and GoHuskies.com/Schrempf for more in-depth looks at the two honorees and follow @UW_MBB for the latest updates.
About Washington Athletics
Washington athletic teams have claimed 56 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship, also in men's rowing (2024). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 320 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
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Detlef Schrempf Finds Out His UW Jersey is Being Retired
Wednesday, November 26
Christian Welp's Wife, Melanie, Surprised with Jersey Retirement
Wednesday, November 26
Christian Welp Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
Friday, November 21
Christian Welp Breaks UW's Scoring Record
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