Husky Hoops Adds Texas Tech Transfer LeJuan Watts
April 25, 2026 | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE – Washington has announced the Huskies' latest addition through the transfer portal this offseason with the signing of former Washington State and Texas Tech standout LeJuan Watts.
Watts appeared in 33 games with 28 starts for the Red Raiders in 2025-26 after earning Honorable Mention All-WCC laurels at Washington State in 2024-25. Watts added 6.0 rebounds per game and shot 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
"LeJuan is one of the hardest matchups offensively in the country," Sprinkle said. "At 6-6 and 230 pounds, he can play the one, two, three or four and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He's one of the best in the country at getting a defensive rebound and pushing the ball like a point guard, finding shooters, getting the ball to the rim, throwing lobs. That's kind of his superpower, his ability to exploit mismatches with his size and strength to create on the offensive end not just for himself but for others."
After splitting time between the starting lineup and the bench early on for TTU, Watts cemented himself within the starting five for the final 25 games of the season, posting four 20-plus point performances and three double doubles.
The Fresno, California, native made an early statement at eventual Final Four participant Illinois in Texas Tech's second game of the season, converting 8-of-10 shots, including both three-point attempts, to finish with 21 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.
A month later, Watts dominated with a career-high 36 points on 12-of-13 from the floor, knocking in three threes and nine free throws and adding in six boards and four assists in TTU's win over Northern Colorado.
The following game, Watts posted 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Red Raiders upset then No. 3 Duke at Madison Square Garden. Continuing to shine against the toughest competition, registering 20 points with eight rebounds vs. No. 11 BYU and 19 points, 12 boards and five assists vs. No. 11 Kansas.
In the NCAA Tournament, Watts scored an efficient 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, chipping in six rebounds in TTU's win over Akron, finishing the season with 16 points and seven rebounds as the Red Raiders bowed out versus Alabama.
After earning Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors at Eastern Washington, Watts transferred to Washington State for the 2024-25 season, starting all 34 games and averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.4 assist per contest, posting averages of .549 from the field and .422 from behind the arc. Watts racked up nine double doubles and one triple double for the Cougars.
Watts scored a season-high 24 points at San Francisco, knocking in 11-of-13 attempts from the charity stripe and adding 12 rebounds and five assists. A few short games later, the then-sophomore delivered the second triple double in WSU history, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists at Santa Clara.
After redshirting his true freshman season, Watta was named the unanimous Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2023-24 at Eastern Washington, leading the Eagles with a .612 shooting percentage to average 9.4 points per game. Watts shot 40.5 percent from three and 71.9 percent from the charity stripe.
Watts highlight performance of his freshman campaign came late in the season vs. Montana State, where he made 8-of-11 shots and all four free throws en route to a season-best 21 points against the Bobcats.
Watts was a two-time all-conference standout at Bullard High School in Fresno, California, averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds a game as a senior. He is the brother of DeSean Watts, a junior defensive lineman for the Husky football team.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_MBB on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
Watts appeared in 33 games with 28 starts for the Red Raiders in 2025-26 after earning Honorable Mention All-WCC laurels at Washington State in 2024-25. Watts added 6.0 rebounds per game and shot 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
"LeJuan is one of the hardest matchups offensively in the country," Sprinkle said. "At 6-6 and 230 pounds, he can play the one, two, three or four and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He's one of the best in the country at getting a defensive rebound and pushing the ball like a point guard, finding shooters, getting the ball to the rim, throwing lobs. That's kind of his superpower, his ability to exploit mismatches with his size and strength to create on the offensive end not just for himself but for others."
After splitting time between the starting lineup and the bench early on for TTU, Watts cemented himself within the starting five for the final 25 games of the season, posting four 20-plus point performances and three double doubles.
The Fresno, California, native made an early statement at eventual Final Four participant Illinois in Texas Tech's second game of the season, converting 8-of-10 shots, including both three-point attempts, to finish with 21 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.
A month later, Watts dominated with a career-high 36 points on 12-of-13 from the floor, knocking in three threes and nine free throws and adding in six boards and four assists in TTU's win over Northern Colorado.
The following game, Watts posted 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Red Raiders upset then No. 3 Duke at Madison Square Garden. Continuing to shine against the toughest competition, registering 20 points with eight rebounds vs. No. 11 BYU and 19 points, 12 boards and five assists vs. No. 11 Kansas.
In the NCAA Tournament, Watts scored an efficient 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, chipping in six rebounds in TTU's win over Akron, finishing the season with 16 points and seven rebounds as the Red Raiders bowed out versus Alabama.
After earning Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors at Eastern Washington, Watts transferred to Washington State for the 2024-25 season, starting all 34 games and averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.4 assist per contest, posting averages of .549 from the field and .422 from behind the arc. Watts racked up nine double doubles and one triple double for the Cougars.
Watts scored a season-high 24 points at San Francisco, knocking in 11-of-13 attempts from the charity stripe and adding 12 rebounds and five assists. A few short games later, the then-sophomore delivered the second triple double in WSU history, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists at Santa Clara.
After redshirting his true freshman season, Watta was named the unanimous Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2023-24 at Eastern Washington, leading the Eagles with a .612 shooting percentage to average 9.4 points per game. Watts shot 40.5 percent from three and 71.9 percent from the charity stripe.
Watts highlight performance of his freshman campaign came late in the season vs. Montana State, where he made 8-of-11 shots and all four free throws en route to a season-best 21 points against the Bobcats.
Watts was a two-time all-conference standout at Bullard High School in Fresno, California, averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds a game as a senior. He is the brother of DeSean Watts, a junior defensive lineman for the Husky football team.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_MBB on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
Steinbach GOT IT 🗑️😮💨
Thursday, March 12
DAWGS 🔥
Thursday, March 12
We'll take this one 💨
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Steinbach ➕ Peterson 3️⃣🔥
Thursday, March 12
