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Grand Canyon University Athletics
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Breidenbach gives GCU size with range, hustle
4/24/2025 1:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
Former Nebraska, Washington 6-10 stretch forward bring 104 games of experience
Grand Canyon basketball fans will learn about what Wilhelm Breidenbach can do before they finish saying his name.
The smooth-shooting big man with the quick release signed with Grand Canyon to play next season as a graduate transfer, bringing 104 games of high-effort experience to the Lopes.
The 6-foot-10 native of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, started 17 of 30 games for Washington last season and made 37% of his 3-point attempts.
"Wilhelm is a skilled big man who brings a lot of playing experience to our team," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "He will fit in very nicely with our other players with his ability to space the floor and rebound."
Breidenbach (BRIDE-en-bock) began his collegiate career at Nebraska but had his 2021-22 freshman season cut short when he tore his right knee's ACL in the 10th game.
He returned for a full sophomore season at Nebraska before transferring to Washington, where he started 26 of 62 games over the past two seasons with averages of 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. He shot 54% from the field and 71% at the free throw line for the Huskies.
"With this being my last year, I was just really focused on ending my career on a high note and going somewhere where I can make an impact and help the team win," Breidenbach said. "Grand Canyon is pretty well known for basketball. The culture in it and everything like that seemed like a great fit.
"I just like how they play, and obviously they've been pretty successful the last few years. It'll be good to go into a winning culture."
Breidenbach is seeking his first NCAA Tournament trip by choosing a program that Drew has led to four Big Dances in his five GCU seasons.
Despite only playing more than 20 minutes eight times last season, Breidenbach delivered a pair of 10-point games and posted a seven-point, six-rebound game against Illinois. Known for defensive hustle and savvy, he is an inside-outside player offensively with 3-point touch and a jump hook.
"I think I'll be pretty helpful, just being able to pick and pop or pick and roll on mismatches," said Breidenbach, who was a four-star, top-100 recruit when he graduated from California prep power Mater Dei. "I'm a pretty good decision-maker with the ball, and I just play really hard and do everything that's needed."
Going through the eight-month knee rehabilitation process in 2022 allowed Breidenbach to bulk up and develop his wrist-flick set shot to counter taller, quicker opponents.
It also gave him a medical redshirt to continue playing next season after earning his undergraduate degree in Food Systems and Nutrition.
With energetic play and a shaggy-haired, big-beard, goggle-wearing look, Breidenbach is sure to become a fast favorite of the Havocs.
"It's a really cool crowd," Breidenbach said. "You hear about it, especially being from the West Coast. You hear about it as the gold standard, so I'm super excited to see that and I've already got a lot of support from everybody. I'm really, really appreciative of that."
Breidenbach joins previously announced GCU backcourt additions Jaden Henley (UNLV), Brian Moore Jr. (Norfolk State) and Dusty Stromer (Gonzaga).
The smooth-shooting big man with the quick release signed with Grand Canyon to play next season as a graduate transfer, bringing 104 games of high-effort experience to the Lopes.
The 6-foot-10 native of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, started 17 of 30 games for Washington last season and made 37% of his 3-point attempts.
"Wilhelm is a skilled big man who brings a lot of playing experience to our team," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "He will fit in very nicely with our other players with his ability to space the floor and rebound."
Breidenbach (BRIDE-en-bock) began his collegiate career at Nebraska but had his 2021-22 freshman season cut short when he tore his right knee's ACL in the 10th game.
He returned for a full sophomore season at Nebraska before transferring to Washington, where he started 26 of 62 games over the past two seasons with averages of 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. He shot 54% from the field and 71% at the free throw line for the Huskies.
"With this being my last year, I was just really focused on ending my career on a high note and going somewhere where I can make an impact and help the team win," Breidenbach said. "Grand Canyon is pretty well known for basketball. The culture in it and everything like that seemed like a great fit.
"I just like how they play, and obviously they've been pretty successful the last few years. It'll be good to go into a winning culture."
Breidenbach is seeking his first NCAA Tournament trip by choosing a program that Drew has led to four Big Dances in his five GCU seasons.
Despite only playing more than 20 minutes eight times last season, Breidenbach delivered a pair of 10-point games and posted a seven-point, six-rebound game against Illinois. Known for defensive hustle and savvy, he is an inside-outside player offensively with 3-point touch and a jump hook.
"I think I'll be pretty helpful, just being able to pick and pop or pick and roll on mismatches," said Breidenbach, who was a four-star, top-100 recruit when he graduated from California prep power Mater Dei. "I'm a pretty good decision-maker with the ball, and I just play really hard and do everything that's needed."
Going through the eight-month knee rehabilitation process in 2022 allowed Breidenbach to bulk up and develop his wrist-flick set shot to counter taller, quicker opponents.
It also gave him a medical redshirt to continue playing next season after earning his undergraduate degree in Food Systems and Nutrition.
With energetic play and a shaggy-haired, big-beard, goggle-wearing look, Breidenbach is sure to become a fast favorite of the Havocs.
"It's a really cool crowd," Breidenbach said. "You hear about it, especially being from the West Coast. You hear about it as the gold standard, so I'm super excited to see that and I've already got a lot of support from everybody. I'm really, really appreciative of that."
Breidenbach joins previously announced GCU backcourt additions Jaden Henley (UNLV), Brian Moore Jr. (Norfolk State) and Dusty Stromer (Gonzaga).
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballMakaih Williams | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Dusty Stromer | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Kaleb Smith | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Non-Conference Schedule Release | Men's Basketball
Monday, August 04