Franck Kepnang injury update: Danny Sprinkle reveals if he'll take a medical redshirt at Washington
After playing in his first game in two and a half months, Washington C Franck Kepnang could return for a fifth collegiate season and third overall with the Huskies.
Danny Sprinkle revealed on Friday that their plan for Kepnang, who came back from a knee injury in their last game, is to have him apply for a medical redshirt to be back for ’25-’26.
“Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah,” said Sprinkle. That’s what we’re hoping, yeah.”
Washington has 14 more games this season. With him having appeared in three to this point, Kepnang could appear in 10 more or so in order to satisfy the 30% rule to receive the waiver. It wasn’t a season-ending matter but did happen just two games into the year with that well before the halfway point of their season.
Kepnang, who has spent two seasons at Washington following two at Oregon, has posted 5.3 points (57.1% FG), 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 73 games. That includes 8.3 points (54.5% FG), 6.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in only 21 appearances for the Huskies.
In 21 minutes in a five-point loss to UCLA, Kepnang played well in his managed minutes with seven points, eight rebounds, and a pair of blocked shots.
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“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, you know, he just – like I said, he looked as healthy as he’s looked since he’s been with me.”
Kepnang has been productive when able to play in his career. That could now get an extension by an additional season if that waiver grants a fifth year of college ball.
“His best basketball is ahead of him, you know what I mean,” said Sprinkle. “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.”
“Yeah, so, I mean, he – hopefully he can, you know, get back and have a great full season.”