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Former Washington Huskies standout freshman Hannes Steinbach received a message of congratulations from ex-NBA star Dirk Nowitzki after the latest German-made forward went No. 14 overall to the Charlotte Hornets in the 2026 NBA draft.
"Hannes, congratulations, my man," the 21-year veteran and Hall of Famer. "Another kid from Würzburg in the league. Incredible. I've known you since you were born. I've followed your journey, and I'm super proud how you've handled everything. Enjoy this moment with your family. Speaking of—I'm so glad you didn't get your father's athleticism and hands. Enjoy this moment. Congratulations."
Steinbach, the son of Burkhard Steinbach, a former teammate of Nowitzki's when the two played professionally in Germany, is the first UW player to go in the first round since Isaiah Stewart (No. 16 to the Detroit Pistons) and Jaden McDaniels (No. 28 to the Los Angeles Lakers) each heard their names called in the 2020 draft.
The now-former UW freshman and Big Ten Conference leader in rebounds joins fellow German natives in the NBA, including Dennis Schröder, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Orlando Magic brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, among others.
"I definitely bring rebounding as my best quality," Steinbach said in a post-draft interview. "And I definitely want to improve my shooting ability and spread the floor and provide spacing for my team."
Steinbach, a 6-foot-11 power forward, led the Huskies in his one year on campus, averaging 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game over his 30 games in his lone season in college basketball.
"Wurzburg helped me a lot," Steinbach said of the experience playing in Germany, which helped shape his game going into the NBA. "Just playing with pros and against pros, against physical guys and guys with more experience than myself. So I think that experience will help me to get adjusted to the NBA and how it is to play against older, more experienced guys."
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Hall Of Famer Dirk Nowitzki Congratulates Ex-Husky Steinbach
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"Hannes, congratulations, my man," the 21-year veteran and Hall of Famer. "Another kid from Würzburg in the league. Incredible. I've known you since you were born. I've followed your journey, and I'm super proud how you've handled everything. Enjoy this moment with your family. Speaking of—I'm so glad you didn't get your father's athleticism and hands. Enjoy this moment. Congratulations."
Steinbach, the son of Burkhard Steinbach, a former teammate of Nowitzki's when the two played professionally in Germany, is the first UW player to go in the first round since Isaiah Stewart (No. 16 to the Detroit Pistons) and Jaden McDaniels (No. 28 to the Los Angeles Lakers) each heard their names called in the 2020 draft.
The now-former UW freshman and Big Ten Conference leader in rebounds joins fellow German natives in the NBA, including Dennis Schröder, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Orlando Magic brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, among others.
"I definitely bring rebounding as my best quality," Steinbach said in a post-draft interview. "And I definitely want to improve my shooting ability and spread the floor and provide spacing for my team."
Steinbach, a 6-foot-11 power forward, led the Huskies in his one year on campus, averaging 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game over his 30 games in his lone season in college basketball.
"Wurzburg helped me a lot," Steinbach said of the experience playing in Germany, which helped shape his game going into the NBA. "Just playing with pros and against pros, against physical guys and guys with more experience than myself. So I think that experience will help me to get adjusted to the NBA and how it is to play against older, more experienced guys."
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Hall Of Famer Dirk Nowitzki Congratulates Ex-Husky Steinbach
Continue reading...
