Derrien King to transfer from WSU basketball

PULLMAN – Derrien King will transfer from the Washington State basketball program at the end of the semester, coach Ernie Kent announced on Saturday.

“We’d like to thank Derrien for all the contributions he’s made to the program over the last year and a half,” Kent said in a press release. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

King was a junior guard who transferred to WSU last year from Santa Monica College. He grew up in Wichita, Kansas. The Cougars are currently in Kansas for Saturday’s game against Kansas State.

King had emerged a productive swingman for the Cougars in 2016, scoring 22 points in the season-opening win over Montana State. But he saw his playing time diminish after a poor shooting stretch, and Charles Callison replaced him in the starting lineup.

Transfers have been an Achilles’ heel for the WSU program, which saw four players leave the program last offseason – including starters Que Johnson and Valentine Izundu.