Cougars hang on to Jeff Pollard and add point guard

PULLMAN – Jeff Pollard, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward from Bountiful, Utah, signed a national letter of intent to play for the Washington State men’s basketball team.

And then on Wednesday, he signed another one.

Pollard delayed his enrollment after signing with the Cougars in 2014, enrolling at the Impact Academy in Las Vegas and becoming a recruitable athlete again. He did this in part to put on strength and develop his skills without using up his redshirt season. But he also did it to allow WSU to save the scholarship that was eventually given to junior college recruit Conor Clifford, who is expected to start at center this season.

He is joined in WSU’s 2016 recruiting class by 6-foot-2, 195-pound guard Milan Acquaah, a senior at Cathedral High in Pasadena, California. Both players signed on Wednesday, the first day of the week-long early signing period.

“We’re getting two outstanding players in terms of their character, their academic integrity and their leadership capability,” Kent said. “They’re going to fit in nicely with our Cougar family here.”

Kent added that both players have been committed to WSU since last year and that both stuck with their commitments despite receiving continued recruiting interest because of successful individual seasons.

Kent, who is prohibited by the NCAA from speaking about the players until they have signed, compared Acquaah to former NBA guard Tim Hardaway for his dribbling skill, ability to finish at the rim with either hand, strength and, presumably, a “killer crossover.

“He takes a pounding but can still get his shot off with his right hand or his left hand,” Kent said.

In Pollard the Cougars believe they have found a versatile big man who can score in the paint and shoot while facing the basket, similar to junior forward Josh Hawkinson, who set the school record for double-doubles last season.

“He might not have Josh’s range or Josh’s variety of skillset to really get a lot of different shots off,” Kent said. “But what he is, is a physical, smart basketball player. Very sound, very solid in his fundamentals. He’s been very well coached.”

The Cougars only graduate two seniors after the upcoming season, Brett Boese and Junior Longrus, so the Cougars will not be able to sign any players in the spring signing period unless a current player leaves the team.