Third Cougars basketball player to transfer

PULLMAN – Washington State center Valentine Izundu will graduate and transfer to a new school, where he will be immediately eligible to play.

Izundu played only his redshirt junior season for the Cougars, having first transferred from the University of Houston prior to the 2014-15 season, which he sat out per NCAA transfer rules.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound center had an undeniable impact on defense, where his blocked-shot percentage of 13.9 would have ranked No. 2 nationally had he played a sufficient number (40 percent) of his team’s minutes to be included in Ken Pomeroy’s rankings. That was the rub with Izundu – in addition to struggles with injury, he was limited offensively and averaged just 3.8 points per game (10.2 per 40 minutes played).

Izundu’s departure means WSU coach Ernie Kent has two scholarships to offer before the start of next season. The Spokesman-Review has heard that, in addition high school and junior college recruits, the Cougars are considering college transfers, as well.

Izundu is the third player to transfer from WSU following the 2015-16 season, joining Ny Redding and Renard Suggs.