WSU men basketball: Colorado State U grad
transfer forward Deion James becomes Kyle Smith’s first commit at Washington
State
By Theo Lawson S-R of Spokane
PULLMAN –
Right off the bat, Kyle Smith is bringing experience to his first Washington
State basketball roster.
Smith’s
first commitment as the Cougars’ new coach came Deion James, a Colorado State
graduate transfer forward who announced on Twitter Monday he’d be spending his
final college season in Pullman.
James, who
should be eligible to play immediately, will become the seventh member of
Smith’s 2019-20 roster once he signs his letter of intent, joining forward CJ
Elleby, guard Jervae Robinson, forward Jaz Kunc, forward Jeff Pollard and
guard/forward Chance Moore.
The
Cougars got James on the second try, and with a different coach, after Ernie
Kent initially attempted to recruit the 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward out of
Arizona’s Pima Junior College, where he was the NJCAA Division II National
Player of the Year after a 2016-17 season that saw him score 20.6 points per
game and grab more than nine rebounds per game.
James was
dominant at the junior college level and proved he could be effective in the
NCAA Division I ranks during his 2017-18 season in Fort Collins. As a junior,
he played in 31 games and made 21 starts, ranking third on the Rams in scoring
(10.5 ppg), rebounding (5.3 rpg) and total blocks (19).
Though he
wasn’t accurate outside the three-point arc, making just 13-of-50 3’s, James
was more than solid from inside the line, canning 45 percent of his total field
goals. That number would’ve ranked second among WSU’s starters last season and
his scoring average would’ve ranked third, behind only Robert Franks and
Elleby.
Offseason
knee surgery prohibited James from playing at CSU last season, so he used a
redshirt season and announced he’d be entering the NCAA transfer portal on
March 25.
James grew
up in Pac-12 territory, residing in Tucson, Ariz., as a youngster and attending
Empire High School, where he averaged 21.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg as a senior. He
went straight to North Carolina A&T out of high school, playing sparingly
as a true freshman before transferring to Pima JC.
::::
WSU
football and WSU soccer: Two Coug football players and one Coug soccer player
alleged to have been involved in vandalism
UPDATED:
Mon., April 29, 2019, 10:56 p.m.
By Theo
Lawson Spokesman-Review
PULLMAN –
Christian Haangana and Fa’avae Fa’avae, both members of the Washington State
football team, were arrested Saturday morning on felony vandalism charges after
reportedly stomping on and damaging multiple vehicles at a college apartment
complex near the WSU campus, Pullman Police Commander Chris Tennant confirmed
to The Spokesman-Review.
Pullman
Radio News first reported the alleged incident involving Haangana, a redshirt
junior offensive lineman, Fa’avae, a redshirt sophomore inside linebacker, and
a third student-athlete, WSU soccer player Makamae Gomera-Stevens.
WSU does
not comment on ongoing police investigations and a school official said both
teams will handle the matter internally. The suspects haven’t been charged with
felonies yet and any formal charging would be done by the prosecutor’s office,
Tennant said.
According
to Tennant, the suspects had left the area and were being trailed by a car of
witnesses when Pullman Police were called. A county deputy reached the suspects
before Pullman Police did and made the arrest on North Grand Ave. after
speaking with both the suspects and witnesses.
The
suspects denied any involvement in the incident, Tennant said, but damage to
the cars matched the description from the witnesses, as did the profile of all
three suspects.
Both of
the cars found at Cougar Ridge Apartments on College Hill, a Mercedes sport
utility vehicle and a sedan, had damage to the hood and were “dented and caved
in,” Tennant said. The windshield of one of the vehicles had also been smashed.
Pullman Police have yet to determine how the damage was caused or the motive of
the incident, and it’s unclear if alcohol was involved.
The
suspects were arrested on a count of second degree malicious mischief because
it was determined the reported damage exceeded $750, Tennant said.
Haangana
is a reserve offensive lineman from Milpitas, California, who appeared in all
26 games each of the last two seasons for the Cougars, mostly on special teams.
He projects to be a backup offensive guard for the team in 2019.
Fa’avae, a
Carson, California, native, redshirted in 2017 and made 10 appearances in 2018,
recording six tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. He figures to be part of the team’s
linebacker rotation again in 2019, but isn’t projected to start for WSU.
Gomera-Stevens,
a forward for WSU’s soccer team, enters her junior season with the Cougars
after making 41 appearances and 30 starts over the last two years. She’s scored
four goals and contributed three assists in 2,052 career minutes played.
:::
Washington
Legislature moves up construction of SR26 passing lanes
Pullman Radio News 4/30/2019
The
Washington Legislature has approved moving up the construction of the first
passing lanes for the main route for Washington State University students
traveling between Pullman and Western Washington. State lawmakers passed the transportation
budget on Sunday which includes a provision to accelerate the timeline for the
project.
In 2015
the legislature approved 11 million dollars for the work as part of the last
gas tax increase. Construction of the
passing lanes between Colfax and Dusty on State Route 26 was initially set to
begin in 2024.
State
lawmakers have now moved up construction to start as early as next year. Four sections of passing lane will be
added. Two Eastbound and two Westbound.
Local
Washington State Senator and Minority Leader Republican Mark Schoesler of
Ritzville praised Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson with helping to get the provision
passed. Mayor Johnson organized a grass
roots effort to lobby for accelerating the project.
:::::::::::::::::::
WSU
receives state money for medical school expansion
Pullman Radio News 4/30/2019
After
failing to be included in any initial budget proposals, Washington State
University’s top operating budget request was approved by state lawmakers. The Washington Legislature passed the state’s
next two-year operating budget just before the deadline on Sunday night.
It
includes 4 million dollars for expansion of the WSU medical school in
Spokane. That additional funding will
allow the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine to expand enrollment from 60 to 80
students this Fall. The state budget
includes a total of 14.4 million dollars for the medical school.
Funding
for WSU medical school expansion was left out of the initial budget proposals
from the governor and majority Democrats in the house and senate.
:::::::::::
Washington
State Lawmakers approve millions for local construction projects
Pullman Radio News 30 April 2019
Millions
of dollars in State of Washington funding has been approved for local
construction projects. State lawmakers
on Sunday approved the state capital construction budget.
The budget
contains 1.6 million dollars to extend City of Pullman utilities, including
sewer service to the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport. The utility extension is needed for the new
terminal project which is still in the planning stages.
The state
capital budget also includes Washington State University’s top construction
request. State lawmakers approved 36.4
million dollars for construction of the Global Animal Health Phase II project
for the Pullman campus.
A quarter
million dollars was also approved for a new roof for the Colfax Food Pantry
building which houses the community’s food bank.
Another
half a million dollars was allocated for sewer improvements in Rosalia.
:::
WSU tennis team reaches NCAAs, will face Miami
…ApriL 30,
2019 MoscoW PullmaN DailY NewS…
PULLMAN —
The Washington State women’s tennis team was one of 64 teams selected by the
NCAA on Monday to participate in the NCAA tournament.
The No. 34
Cougars (19-10) face 19th-ranked Miami on May 3 at Stillwater, Okla., as part
of a four-team bracket. Host Oklahoma State faces Arkansas, with the winners of
the two matches facing the following day.
“Being
selected for the NCAA Championships is a great reward, I feel well deserved,
for what we have achieved this season,” said 16th-year WSU coach Lisa Hart,
who’s been to the NCAAs twice before as boss. “Our results this season have
been a true team effort. We have won throughout all parts of our lineup and
have come from behind for victories, which is a testament to the great
leadership we have on this team. We have also accomplished all of this playing
in the best tennis conference in the nation.”
Wazzu,
ranked as high as No. 15, got its second all-time win against UCLA (then No.
10) earlier this year, the highest-ranked opponent WSU’s ever beaten, and eventually
reached 19 wins, the second-most all time.
The 16
winners in the first round will advance to super regionals, beginning May 16 in
Orlando, Fla.
WSU is one
of seven Pac-12 teams to reach the NCAAs.
::
FOOTALL analysis:
A
way-too-early look at the best Pac-12 prospects in the 2020 NFL draft
April 29,
2019
By Jon
Wilner
San Jose
Merc News
Jon
Wilner's Pac-12
The list
of Pac-12 players who have selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft runs 16
deep.
Within
that illustrious group, there are 11 quarterbacks:
1954:
Stanford’s Bobby Garrett
1955:
Oregon’s George Shaw
1963:
Oregon State’s Terry Baker
1971:
Stanford’s Jim Plunkett
1975:
Cal’s Steve Bartkowski
1983:
Stanford’s John Elway
1989:
UCLA’s Troy Aikman
1993:
Washington State’s Drew Bledsoe
2003:
USC”s Carson Palmer
2012:
Stanford’s Andrew Luck
2016:
Cal’s Jared Goff
Will No.
10 become No. 12?
Oregon
quarterback Justin Herbert is on the short list of players currently pegged as
the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 draft, and he occupies the
top spot in the Hotline’s ranking of the top Pac-12 prospects for next April in
Las Vegas.
Like
previous editions, this exercise in semi-futility carries a morsel of value:
The
research and ranking process helps identify the conference’s strengths (and
weaknesses) from a personnel/positional standpoint.
As always,
two reminders:
1. The
ranking includes underclassmen who are, in the Hotline’s purely subjective
assessment, likely to turn pro, and it excludes those projected to stay in
school. (For instance: We think Washington’s Jacob Eason will be back in 2020.)
That said,
not all of the players listed will declare for the draft, and some prospects
not listed will assuredly leave school.
2. What
this isn’t:
A ranking
of the best players in the Pac-12 next season. On-field production and draft
value don’t always move in lockstep.
We’re not
ranking every draft prospect, only the top candidates for the high rounds.
(Have I
missed someone? Undoubtedly so.)
And be
warned: A few names below won’t be found on the early 2020 mock drafts and
prospect rankings surfacing on other outlets.
Also
considered: Oregon TE Jake Breeland, Utah DL Leki Fotu, ASU TB Eno Benjamin,
USC WR Tyler Vaughns, Oregon DL Jordon Scott, Cal LB Evan Weaver, Washington QB
Jacob Eason, Oregon G Shane Lemieux, Colorado QB Steven Montez, Cal CB Camryn
Bynum, Oregon LB Troy Dye, UCLA WR Theo Howard, Arizona DE Kylan Wilborn, UCLA
LB Kiesean Lucier-South and Washington DL Levi Onwuzurike.
15. Arizona
State CB Chase Lucas: Had a standout freshman season, then didn’t quite match
the performance in 2018. The lock-down potential remains, although he could use
another 10-15 pounds of muscle considering his slight frame.
14.
Stanford TE Colby Parkinson: The top-rated tight end in the high school class
of ’17, Parkinson has done nothing to undercut that assessment. He’s 6-foot-7
and fluid, with excellent hands. But tight end is often a low priority for
teams, making Parkinson’s draft position difficult to project.
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13. USC DT
Brandon Pili: Admittedly, pegging Pili as a Day Two selection seems like a bit
of a reach. But he’s a massive run-stuffer (325 pounds) who was highly
productive as a sophomore in limited time and is loaded with potential as a
dominant interior force.
12. Utah
DE Bradlee Anae: Relentless off the edge, Anae had 15.5 tackles-for-loss last
season and led the conference with eight sacks. Expect his Combine results
(i.e., short-area quickness) to establish his draft range. Anae was given the
edge over lineman Leki Fotu because of position value: Edge trumps interior in
the NFL these days..
11.
Washington State FS Jalen Thompson: Solid in run support and typically around
the ball, Thompson is as sound on the back line as any safety in the
conference. The success of former WSU safety-turned-linebacker Deone Bucannon
in the NFL could bolster the scouts’ assessment of Thompson’s potential.
10.
Stanford QB K.J. Costello: Has the size, poise and arm to eventually compete
for an NFL starting job. Whether he emerges as a Day One candidate next spring
or falls to Day Three will depend on his efficiency and decision-making:
Costello forced a few too many passes last season and won’t have his favorite
targets around in ’19.
9. Oregon
OT Calvin Throckmorton: In a conference well-stocked with elite offensive
tackles, Throckmorton is one of the best. (Curiously, he didn’t make first- or
second-team all-conference, which only shows the coaches don’t get everything
right.) The top pro prospect on the Ducks’ loaded line, by the way, is only a
true sophomore: Penei Sewell.
8. Utah CB
Jaylon Johnson: Emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the conference after
playing sparingly as a freshman in 2017. Natural ballhawk with four
interceptions last season, including 100-yard Pick Six against Stanford. NFL
value is higher for cornerbacks than any position except quarterback and edge
rusher.
7. USC DE
Christian Rector: Few players in the conference possess more pocket-crushing
potential than Rector, who has 20 tackles-for-loss in 13 starts/36 games. The
question is consistency of high-level effort and finding the right position at
the next level; he has played played USC’s Predator spot and also lined up with
a hand in the dirt.
6.
Washington OT Trey Adams: The size and skill required for Adams to become a Day
One selection are present. But he missed last season with a back injury that
required surgery, and that could be cause for serious concern for some teams.
(More of a concern, for instance, that a surgically repaired knee.) If he
remains healthy through the ’19 season and the pre-draft workouts, Adams just
might join former teammate Kaleb McGary as a first rounder.
5. Utah TB
Zack Moss: Yes, this is a lofty projection (late-first/early-second) for a
player who was injured last season and is not exactly a national name. But for
those unaware, the Hotline is driving the Moss Train in 2019 — we think he’s a
smart Heisman sleeper pick — and fully expect him to produce a breakout season.
Fast and strong, with good balance and vision … Moss could be one of the top
tailbacks selected next spring.
4.
Stanford OT Walker Little: A 5-star recruit who was named first-team
all-conference as a true sophomore, Little is one of the top young tackles in
the FBS. His size, mobility, instincts and position value are made-to-order for
the first half of the first round. That said, he could opt for a fourth year in
school to mature physically.
3.
Colorado WR Laviska Shenault: This projection for Shenault comes with a bit of
trepidation, partly because he has more injuries (shoulder and toe) than full
seasons played (one) and partly because of moderate position value. (Only two
receivers were picked in the 2019 first round, and none in the top 20.) But
Shenault’s versatility, size and playmaking skills are first class.
2.
Stanford CB Paulson Adebo: You won’t find him on many early projections, if
any, and that surely has something to do with his lack of experience: Adebo was
only a redshirt freshman last season and very well might stay in school for
2020. If he turns pro, there won’t be a shortage of NFL interest next winter
for one of the top cornerback talents in the nation. He’s 6-foot-1 with the
requisite speed and phenomenal ball skills. Not as polished as Byron Murphy was
coming out this year, but more pro potential.
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1. Oregon
QB Justin Herbert: Plenty of room for accolades to be added to his college
resume and a few boxes still to check for NFL scouts. But combine the size and
mobility with the arm and the position value, and Herbert is the odds-on
favorite to be the first Pac-12 player picked next April, whether it’s in the
No. 1 overall spot or somewhere in the top 10.
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