PULLMAN, Wash. – The transfer portal takes, and the transfer portal gives.
Washington State enters its third-straight season of needing to replace an entire starting lineup, and not just that for this offseason, but the entire bench rotation left for the portal, too, totaling 10 former Cougs.
The loss set up a brand-new roster, one filled with players across the country and even beyond, all looking for a shot in Pullman. Below, we go through a few of the key additions and what head coach David Riley said about each.
(Note: Riley added that freshman Casey Jones will redshirt this season.)
SG Sebastian Akins (Wake Forest)
“What Sebastian needs is a system and a coaching staff that’s gonna believe in him and let him play to his fullest potential. We’re really excited to have him out here. Excited for his potential.”
PG Lazerek Houston (Central Missouri)
“He’s a crazy-talented guard. His change of pace is wild. Just love his mindset, his attitude. He’s a guy that has pro potential. We get him a little stronger, and getting him playing in this system, I think, can really help him.”
SG RJ Jones (TCU)
“Can play on and off the ball, can shoot it, and was really most impressed with his IQ. When coming and talking basketball with him has been really fun. And I think he’s going to be able to come in and impact a lot of different areas.”
SG Jamari Phillips (Oregon)
“I think he needs a setting where he’s got a coach that can let him operate in a little more freedom. I think he can have a ton of success here. He can really, really, really shoot it. He’s a guy that I think is going to thrive and be the next of those wings that has done really, really good in our system.”
SF Jaylen Harrell (Providence)
“He can really post up smaller guys, can shoot the hell out of it. And I just love his mindset. He’s got a really tough, mature mindset and is going to come in with a lot of confidence.”
PF Brayden Kyman (High School)
“Excited with his versatility as well. He’s a really, really good passer, sees the game well. And as he is more athletic and stronger, I think he’s going to have a really good career here.”
PF Ronnie Harrison (East Texas A&M)
“Bigger than he looks on film. He came up on his visit and just a big body, strong. Really just a confident player that can do a little bit of everything. His shooting ability on open catch-and-shoot threes is really, really high. And so I think our system is going to create a lot of those for him.”
PF Tyler Kropp (Northwestern)
“I love his mindset. I love his attitude. I think he was the leading scorer in the U-19s last year. And when you go watch his film with that stuff, his footwork and his scoring ability is really high level.”
SF Fraser Roxburgh (Manhattan)
“Kind of similar to Crop. He’s been playing the five last two years. I remember looking at him a couple years ago. I think when I was still at Eastern, we were looking at him more as a 3-4. And, you know, he’s another guy who just brings a ton of versatility to the game, can pass, can think the game.”
PF Ladji Dembele (UNLV)
“Another guy that can play inside and out, really smart, really, really good outside shooter, can play inside and out. He’s heavier than anyone we had on the team last year. He’s got a 7’2 wingspan. He plays really, really big. And so just his size and versatility is going to be really nice.”
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