Annika Soltau, a 6-foot-4 forward from Germany confirmed with UDUBWBB.com that she will play professionally next season and forgo her collegiate eligibility.
Soltau, who turned 19 in March, had signed to the University of Washington in November 2023.
Annika Soltau will now instead elect to play in Spain for the Lointek Gernika Bizkaia team for the 2024-25 season in the .
Soltau told UDBWBB.com:
Yes, I signed a pro contract […] I will not attend UW. It was a hard decision but I need to take (this professional) opportunity.
Last summer, in the 2023 U18 (under 18) Eurobasket tournament Soltau averaged 17.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game; she then was promoted to Germany’s U19 World Cup team and 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Soltau then played for the German Eisvogel USC Freiburg pro club team for the 2023-24 season, where she averaged 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.
In April 2024, in Portland, Oregon, Annika Soltau played for Team World at the Nike Hoop Summit versus Team USA.
In 14 minutes of play, Soltau recorded 7 points, three offensive rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in a loss to USA Basketball.
Her impressive all-around play against elite competition only increased Soltau’s reputation and standing in the basketball world, as an elite prospect.
Losing Annika Saltau is a huge blow to the University of Washington Women’s basketball program — UDUBWBB.com projected her to be the biggest impact recruit since Kelsey Plum, with the skills needed to eventually make the WNBA.
The WBB Huskies now go from high expectations of a breakout season in their B1G conference debut to simpler hopes of the program finishing in the top half of the mega-conference.