Australian forward chooses WSU
PULLMAN – Australian power forward Brock Motum on Wednesday became the fourth high school senior to commit to Washington State, confirming his intention to sign a letter of intent with the Cougars next week.
“I liked the fact it was not a massive school in regards to number of people,” Motum said of his decision via e-mail from Canberra. “I also liked the genuine interest from the coaching staff, and from talking to them it seemed they cared a lot about team development but also individual development, which was cool.”
The 6-foot-9, 215-pound Motum was recently named the 2008 South East Australian Basketball League Youth Player of the Year after averaging 15.2 points and five rebounds a game for his Australian Institute of Sport team.
That’s the same club that produced NBA player Andrew Bogut, Saint Mary’s guard Patrick Mills and current WSU center Aron Baynes.
“Knowing an Australian (Aron Baynes) had gone over, developed, improved and succeeded was a good sign for an Australian such as myself making the transition,” Motum said, adding that, like Baynes, he picked WSU without making a visit.
But Washington State’s location wasn’t a key aspect in his decision.
“The style of play in the Pac-10 played a big part, and how I thought my relationship would be with the coaching staff was important as well,” Motum said.
Motum said he first made the decision to attend WSU during summer 2007 and hasn’t wavered. After having left his home in Brisbane to play with AIS in Canberra, he knows the transition will be a challenge.
“Sure, I will go through some ups and downs at WSU, but I have wanted to play college basketball ever since I found out about it – so it’s all part of the journey, I guess,” he said.
Motum joins Shadle Park High forward Anthony Brown, Charlotte, N.C., forward David Chadwick and point guard Xavier Thames from Elk Grove, Calif., as seniors who have announced their intention to sign with WSU. National letter of intents can be signed starting Wednesday.
WSU has four seniors this season – Baynes, point guard Taylor Rochestie, and forwards Daven Harmeling and Caleb Forrest.
Notes
The Cougars kick off the 2008-09 season with an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Monday against Lewis-Clark State in Beasley Coliseum. But they will hold an intrasquad scrimmage open to the public at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Bohler Gym. The official opener is at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Beasley against Mississippi Valley State. … Preseason practice has been hampered with injuries, with starters Rochestie, Harmeling, Baynes and Nik Koprivica along with reserves Fabian Boeke and DeAngelo Casto all missing time.