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Gonzaga Basketball

BYU’s Yoeli Childs will test Gonzaga’s interior defense

BYU forward Yoeli Childs attempts a shot against Saint Mary’s Kyle Clark in the WCC Tournament last March. (John Locher / Associated Press)
BYU forward Yoeli Childs attempts a shot against Saint Mary’s Kyle Clark in the WCC Tournament last March. (John Locher / Associated Press)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

If one removes heavy favorite Jock Landale from WCC player of the year consideration, next in line just might be BYU forward Yoeli Childs.

Childs is an agile, athletic 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward who has made a huge jump from his freshman season. He’s scored in double figures in every game this season. He has 11 double-doubles.

Johnathan Williams will probably guard Childs and the Zag senior is coming off a similar assignment against versatile San Diego forward Isaiah Pineiro. Childs, who can play the ‘4’ or ‘5’, makes 54 percent of his shots and gets to the free-throw line almost six times per game. Childs doesn’t shoot many 3s, but he’s effective from the mid-range and with one- or two-bounce post moves.

The Zags will likely mix up coverages, but it’ll be interesting to see how often they choose to double-team Childs.