Cougars go extra miles, land Aussie
PULLMAN – Recruiting to Washington State University for basketball has never been the easiest task in the world, and sometimes coaches speak of having to travel the extra mile to nab the right player.
Or, in this case, 8,089 miles.
The Cougars have signed Aron Baynes, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound center currently playing his senior season at Canberra’s Australian Institute of Sport, that nation’s premier high school for athletics.
Baynes, 18, has played basketball for just four years, but his size and potential garnered scholarship offers from a number of schools in the United States, including Gonzaga and Utah, which along with Saint Mary’s and WSU were his final four choices. A source at Gonzaga confirmed that the Bulldogs were interested in the center.
“The coaching staff (at WSU) is pretty established in what they’ve done with Dick Bennett,” Baynes said this morning. “I thought I could come in there and have an impact straightaway.
“It was a tough decision out of the four schools I had narrowed it down to. But in my heart, that’s what I felt would be the best place for me over the next four years.”
The spring signing period for men’s basketball has passed, but Baynes signed his letter of intent on time so his commitment is official and he should join the Cougars this fall as a freshman.
Baynes’ size provides a much-needed boost for WSU in the low post, where good defense is vital in Bennett’s system. While Baynes could be a project in some ways, he could find his way into the lineup along with Chris Henry at center, allowing Robbie Cowgill to move to a power forward role.
“We’re trying to build our program and continue to get quality players that fit,” associate head coach Tony Bennett said. “The fact that he was recruited by some really good programs from some major conferences, from around here, that’s always good because other people think he has a chance to be good.
“If you play hard and you’re physical, tough and strong, there’s such a need for that at the high level of college basketball. So I think there’s an opportunity for him to really compete.”
Baynes said he hopes the transition to America is a smooth one. Baynes might feel comfortable in Pullman as it’s not unlike his home – Mareeba, Queensland – a town of about 15,000 in northeast Australia.
Aaron Fearne was Baynes’ junior basketball coach in Cairnes, Australia, and said the high level of competition he’s already seen – plus a 7-2 wingspan – could help him step in and play well.
“He still is a little raw. But he’s definitely improved a lot over the last three years,” Fearne said. “He’s a very good rebounder and has a very nice jump hook in the post. … He’s not afraid to mix it up and he’s got a bit of a mean streak in him. He’s not afraid to get in somebody’s face, and he’s not intimidated in that way.”
Notes
Baynes’ signing means one of the other four newcomers could end up redshirting the 2005-06 season. … WSU has one scholarship left, and it’s uncertain as of yet whether it will be left for next season, when the Cougars would likely have just one to offer. … Steve Campbell, a 6-4 guard from Inglemoor High School of the the King County League, will be a freshman walk-on next season, while a walk-on from last year, Alex Kirk, will not rejoin the team. … Thomas Kelati has worked out for a handful of NBA teams. He appears to be a borderline second-round pick, but could get a look this summer as a free agent.