Simon signs with WSU

COUGARS

A quick post with the unedited version of the story about WSU’s basketball signee from the early period that started Wednesday. Read on.
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• Here’s is the story …

PULLMAN – This day had been a long time coming for Patrick Simon.

But Wednesday, Ephrata High’s 6-foot-8 forward signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Washington State University, fulfilling a commitment he made nearly four years ago.

“Since I committed when I was a freshman, I guess it was a long wait,” said Simon, who, at 14, was the youngest commit in WSU history. “With all that has gone, I’m kind of relieved and I’m excited that I’m officially going to be a part of Cougar basketball.”

Simon helped Ephrata to the State 2A title as a sophomore, but had to sit his junior season after breaking a bone in his foot. He’ll start his senior season next week.

“We’re excited about the signing of Patrick Simon,” WSU coach Ken Bone said. “He’s a very skilled player, who has good length to him, and he’s an outstanding shooter with good range.”

When Simon committed to WSU, Bone was the head coach at Portland State and Tony Bennett was in Pullman. After Bennett left the Cougars for Virginia last spring, Simon temporarily re-opened the recruiting process. But he quickly closed it after meeting with Bone.

“It was hard at first,” Simon said of the period. “I had a lot to think about. Once I got introduced to the new system, new style of play, it got me really excited and I like the transition.”

The Cougars, who lose only one senior, Nik Koprivica, after this season, are expected to sign at least one more player in the early period.

Faisel Aden, a 6-4 shooting guard from Hillsborough CC in Tampa, Fla., committed this week to WSU, but the school did not receive his letter of intent.

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• That’s all for now. We’ll be back with our football story and notes. Until then …