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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lawhorn signs letter of intent with Cougars

Point guard led NJCAA in assists two years ago

PULLMAN – The addition of Washington State’s new point guard is official. Danny Lawhorn, a 5-foot-10 transfer from San Jacinto (Junior) College in Pasadena, Texas, signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play basketball at WSU. Lawhorn figures to compete immediately for the Cougars’ starting point guard job. He led the NJCAA in assists per game with 9.5 two seasons ago, and finished second in the nation last season with 8.43 per game. His signing is also the result of the national junior-college connections possessed by assistant coach Ray Lopes, who joined WSU’s staff last summer and was instrumental in helping the Cougars connect with Lawhorn. After watching him play, WSU coach Ken Bone liked what he saw. “What I really, really liked was the fact that not only was he a good passer, but he’s got a real desire to hook guys up with passes,” Bone said via telephone from Portland. “That, along with his quickness and his ball handling – I think he could contribute to our program right away.” Lawhorn fills WSU’s 13th and last available scholarship after former signee Tanner Lancona and WSU reached a “mutual agreement” last week that Lancona will not be coming to Pullman. Bone said “it’s a possibility” that WSU could sign another player before the late signing period ends. Bone isn’t ready to declare Lawhorn a likely starter for the Cougars, because another incoming player, freshman Ikenne Iroegbu, could also compete for that spot. Royce Woolridge, who will be a junior, could still play at the position. “What I do like is we’re not as limited as we were last year, going into next year,” Bone said. “I think we’re pretty well covered at that position. I think Danny will be right in the mix.” Lawhorn, who will be a junior, attended Hartford Public High School in Connecticut before transferring to South Kent School. After Lawhorn finished the 2009-10 season at South Kent – and after reportedly committing to and decommitting from Boston College in 2009 and Fordham in 2010 – he spent time at the Robinson School in New Jersey before heading to San Jacinto for the 2011-12 season. He was named second-team all-conference last season and helped lead San Jacinto to a 24-6 record. Scout.com reported that Lawhorn also had offers from Georgia and Kansas State, among others.
Huskies sign two more
Washington added high school guard Jahmel Taylor and JC transfer Mike Anderson after they signed their national letters of intent to play basketball for the Huskies. Washington coach Lorenzo Romar announced the signings. The two join an incoming class that includes McDonald’s All-American Nigel Williams-Goss, Darin Johnson and college transfers Perris Blackwell and Gilles Dierickx. Taylor, a 5-11 guard, led Pacific Hills High in West Hollywood to the California Division IV state title. He averaged 22.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists this past season. Anderson was ranked as one of the top 50 JC prospects in the country and averaged 17.2 points and 10 rebounds last year.
Vandals add four signees
Idaho men’s basketball coach Don Verlin bolstered his roster for the 2013-14 season with the addition of four players. Bira Seck, a 6-7 power forward from Olney Central College; Mike Scott, a 6-1 point guard from Antelope Valley Junior College; Paulin Mpawe, a 6-9 PF/C from San Bernardino Valley Junior College; and “Suki” Wiggs, a 6-3 point guard from Kingdom Prep Academy, will join the Vandals this fall.