Islander Grad Quinn Sterling Earns UW Hoops Walk-On Spot

graduate was offered a walk-on position on the University of Washington men’s basketball squad Monday for the upcoming season.

Though it's his second year at UW, Quinn will start this year as a freshman from an eligibility standpoint. He spent the summer playing in the Seattle Summer Basketball League, where he was noticed by Husky coaches and asked to try out during August. Quinn will travel with the Huskies Aug. 25 through Sept. 8 when they play games in Spain, France, and Monaco, and then travel to Senegal to visit teammate Aziz N'Diaye’s home country. 

Quinn led the and the after spending much of the year injured in his senior season. His walk-on achievement was also noted in the Seattle Times and the Tacoma News Tribune.

"This is a great opportunity for Quinn," said MIHS Boys Basketball Head Coach Gavin Cree. "I always felt he had the passion, work ethic and ability to play at the college level. He will be a tremendous asset to Coach Romar and the Husky team." 

Among other former Islander Boys Hoops taking it to the next level, Class of 2012 graduate accepted a scholarship to attend and play basketball for Azusa Pacific University, located in Southern California. The APU Cougars are entering year two of a 3-year transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, formally joining the Pacific West Conference this upcoming season. The Pacific West Conference is the largest geographically diverse conference in NCAA Division II, consisting of 14 schools located in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Utah.

Miller is expected to play in the front court for the Cougars, adding the explosive scoring and tremendous athleticism he brought to the Islander varsity team the past four seasons. 

"I'm so proud of Brian for earning this opportunity to attend Azusa Pacific on a scholarship," Coach Cree said. "Brian is a great student and the level of play at the Division II level is outstanding. It will be fun to see how everything unfolds."

Azusa's men's basketball team will play two games in Seattle to open their collegiate season — Nov. 9 (vs. Central Washington) and Nov. 10 (vs. Seattle Pacific). Both games will be played at Seattle Pacific University.

Sterling and Miller join Evan Zahniser (Pomona College), Derek Newhof (Linfield College), Kaj Sherman (North Idaho College) and Sean Hughes (Bellevue College) as former Islanders who have been playing basketball at the college level in recent years.