The Washington men’s basketball team added three-star shooting guard Harold Baruti to its incoming freshman class Monday, the university’s athletic department announced.
Baruti, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, played two years of high school basketball at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Va. He signed his national letter of intent with UW after verbally committing to Utah in May. He reportedly re-opened his recruitment after issues with the school’s admissions office, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
“We’re very fortunate at this late of date to sign a player of Harold’s caliber,” Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar said in a statement. “Walking in the door he immediately becomes one of our most athletic players. He’s only been playing organized basketball in the states for two years so here’s another player with tremendous upside that will grow in our system and will have an impact on our program.”
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Baruti moved to the U.S. before his junior year of high school. Several scouting websites have listed him as a three-star recruit. Baruti averaged 11.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.5 assists last season at Mountain Mission.
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“It’s a blessing to join the program and have the opportunity to improve my game and get better,” Baruti said in the statement. “Coach Romar is a trustworthy, genuine guy that I am happy to get to play for. The style of basketball that the Huskies play is fast with a lot of guards which I think I can grow into pretty well.”
Baruti joins five-star point guard Markelle Fultz, New Zealander Sam Timmins and guard Carlos Johnson in UW’s recruiting class for next season. He will be eligible immediately, according to the statement released by UW.
Welcome to the #HuskyFamily Harold Baruti! The 6-6 guard joins the class of 2016 pic.twitter.com/bPAStQJqen
— UW Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) June 27, 2016
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