2026 NBA Draft Scouting Report for Hannes Steinbach
Despite Washington finishing with a losing record, Hannes Steinbach was an easy standout for NBA scouts.
He averaged a double-double as a freshman, providing efficient offense and a physical, active presence in the paint.
There are still a couple of swing skills or traits that will be key in determining Steinbach's NBA ceiling.
But his floor appears to be on the same level as most NBA backup bigs, based on his tools, production and skill set.
Essential Facts, Stats, Combine Measurements
College: Washington | Position: C | Age: 20 | Height: 6'10.25" | Weight: 248 lbs | Wingspan: 7'2.25" | PPG: 18.5 | RPG: 11.8 | APG: 1.6 | BPG: 1.2 | SPG: 1.1 | FG%: 57.7 | 3PT%: 34.0 | FT%: 75.9
Realistic Pro Comparison: Moritz Wagner
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Hannes Steinbach shares the skills, traits and limitations that make Moritz Wagner a useful role player with a capped ceiling.
They're tough and skilled around the basket and post area. They give their lineups a big body inside who can also work from the short corners and elbows.
Unreliable shooting and weaker defense have kept Wagner from earning starter minutes, and Steinbach will face a similar challenge if he's unable to improve on those same weaknesses.
Strengths
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Strength 1: Post-ups
Steinbach is a physically strong interior scorer who establishes deep position and finishes efficiently around the rim. He plays with good balance, soft touch and patience, allowing him to score through contact and punish mismatches on the block.
Strength 2: Pick-and-roll/pop
He's an effective screener who creates separation for ball-handlers and consistently dives hard to the basket as a roll man. He also shows emerging pick-and-pop ability with touch from mid-range, giving him some versatility in half-court offense.
Strength 3: Offensive rebounding
One of Steinbach's best offensive traits is his relentless work on the glass. He earned 44 putbacks, combining strength, timing and a high motor to carve out space, secure second-chance opportunities, and generate extra possessions.
Weaknesses
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Weakness 1: Face-up play
Steinbach is not a dynamic creator off the dribble and can struggle to generate offense when forced to attack from the perimeter. His first step and overall burst are average, which limits his ability to consistently beat defenders in isolation or create advantages facing the basket.
Weakness 2: Shooting
While he has shown flashes of touch, Steinbach is still developing as a perimeter shooter and does not yet command consistent defensive attention away from the paint. His shooting volume and range remain limited, leaving questions about how much floor spacing he will ultimately provide at higher levels.
Weakness 3: Defense
Steinbach's 3.9 block percentage is worrisome for a projected center. He doesn't appear to be light enough on his feet to defend 4s, and the lack of rim protection will weigh on his overall value as a big.
