Will Franck Kepnang take a medical redshirt at Washington? HC Danny Sprinkle provides injury update
Washington Huskies center Franck Kepnang played for the first time since early November on Friday, but he will likely return for another season. Washington coach Danny Sprinkle said the school will pursue getting a medical redshirt for Kepnang.
“That’s what we’re hoping, yeah," Sprinkle said, according to ON3. “His best basketball is ahead of him – you know what I mean? Poor kid, man. He’s just had some, some bad luck, you know. He works his butt off on rehab. He does everything he’s supposed to do. ... Hopefully, he can, you know, get back and have a great full season."
Before Friday, Kepnang last played on Nov. 9 in the Huskies' second game of the season. In his return, the graduate student came off the bench to notch seven points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes in a 65-60 loss to the UCLA Bruins (14-6, 5-4).
“Just, you know, talking to him in between timeouts, he’s like, ‘Coach, I feel great," Sprinkle said. "You know, we did a pretty good job. You know, like, he might be in for two minutes – get him a rest. Get him in for two – get him a rest. And ... like I said, he looked as healthy as he’s looked since he’s been with me.”
Franck Kepnang has played just one full season of college basketball, in 2021-22, as a sophomore with the Oregon Ducks. He joined OU at the end of the fall semester as a freshman.
He's been hampered by knee injuries in all three seasons at Washington, playing just eight games as a junior, 10 last season and three this season. In March, Sports Illustrated reported that Kepnang could have seven seasons of eligibility. That would include a COVID-19 season.
To get a medical redshirt this season, Kepnang will have to cap his appearance to less than 30% of the team's games, according to On3. Washington (10-10, 1-8) has 11 games, plus the Big Ten Tournament, remaining.
Franck Kepnang's performance for the Huskies
Franck Kepnang has shown he can be a valuable player when he's on the court. This season, he's averaged 6.3 points (on 45.0% shooting) and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Against the Bruins, he played well despite limited minutes. His performance was a positive sign, showing he can still make a big impact.