The Sacramento Kings are making a move to improve their frontcourt depth and defense after losing five of their first seven games while dealing with injuries.

PULLMAN – As summer flipped to fall and the leaves turned orange on the Palouse, David Riley found himself talking about defense more than ever. He was headed into his second season as Washington State’s head coach, and among the improvements he wanted to make from his first, defense hovered near the top of the list.

PULLMAN – Debora Dos Santos hit two foul shots with 4 seconds left to lift the Idaho women’s basketball team to a season-opening 87-85 win over Washington State on Monday, the Vandals first win over the Cougars in 22 years.

PULLMAN – When he started talking about his Washington State team’s first game of the season, an exhibition victory over visiting New Mexico last month, coach David Riley mentioned something different first.

The players that Washington State coach David Riley and his assistants brought in don’t just look talented and versatile. They also have global experience, bringing knowledge from their years of basketball in their home countries to Pullman, where the Cougars will try to build on last year’s 19-15 season. The good news for the Cougars: Their international players don’t just know about local foods. They’ve also spent years battling their contemporaries back home.

Following an offseason of early departures and graduation losses, WSU coach David Riley and the Cougs have landed a team with nine newcomers: Four from the transfer portal, four true freshmen and one veteran international import. That group will join three key returners – guard Tomas Thrastarson, wing Rihards Vavers and forward ND Okafor – in taking on the Cougars’ second and final season as affiliate members of the WCC before the rebuilt Pac-12 launches next year.

As teammates around her departed this past offseason, Eleonora Villa chose to stay in Pullman, and her leadership and vast skillset should have a huge impact for Cougars.

Forgive Washington State women’s basketball coach Kamie Ethridge if it seems like she was in the same position at the start of the season a year ago.

PULLMAN – Facing a respected program in an exhibition game to usher in the new season, the Washington State men’s basketball team gave its fans an encouraging early glimpse.

Twelve total former Gonzaga players saw the floor during an NBA season that culminated with a riveting Finals matchup between former college teammates Andrew Nembhard and Chet Holmgren.

The Washington State men’s basketball team will play at least 10 games this season in front of a national audience.