WSU stresses backcourt help
PULLMAN – Success breeds success. At least that seems to be the lesson the Washington State Cougars have learned this basketball recruiting period.
“Last year’s season allowed us to get involved with some of these young men, that, in the past we, perhaps, wouldn’t have had a chance at,” coach Tony Bennett said, referring to the 26-8, NCAA tournament team from a year ago.
“Usually in the past, when we’ve been involved with recruiting players and other high major schools have been involved, we were always on the outs. This time we actually beat out a couple of really good programs.”
Five players signed letters of intent Wednesday, the first day of basketball’s early signing period, including the son of a former NBA player.
Klay Thompson, one of the jewels of WSU’s class, is the son of former 1978 NBA No. 1 draft pick Mychal Thompson.
Thompson, Nick Witherill, Michael Harthun and Marcus Capers are all guards, with James Watson the only true inside player.
“We felt like we had to address the backcourt, the guards, and I think we did that,” Bennett said. “They are all a little different, but (they all) bring some nice athleticism, the ability to shoot the ball (and) defend.”
Bennett thinks the quintet also has one other thing in common.
“We always talk about character,” Bennett said, “and these are all young men of character.
“Every year (this day) is important, it’s the lifeblood of the program,” Bennett said. “My hope is that we did capitalize on what happened last year, and we didn’t vary from the kind of character and the mold of kids who have made this program have a chance to be successful.”
Though Harthun is the only WSU recruit on Scout.com’s list of top 100 prospects (at 96), Bennett believes they have the potential to be successful.
“The whole key for this class is will they develop like the group that are now seniors?” Bennett said. “What they are now is somewhat important, but what they are when they leave is everything.”
To entice the group, Bennett said he and his staff built up the frequent flyer miles. They got to see exotic locations, such as Watson’s home of Stringtown, Okla., population 396.
“Coach (Ron) Sanchez and I were going to the home and, (were) in a town about 10 miles out (from Stringtown),” Bennett said. “We saw a guy pulling up to an intersection on horseback, making a right turn right down the main street.
“It made Pullman look like a metropolis.”