Cougars increase international flavor

PULLMAN – Washington State has received a letter of intent from German high schooler Fabian Boeke, who is set to join the basketball team this fall as a freshman.

After the transfer of guards Mac Hopson and Chris Matthews last week, the Cougars had two additional scholarships to use, one of which will go to Boeke, who orally committed to the Cougars months ago even before there was a slot available. WSU head coach Tony Bennett said there are still some eligibility hurdles for Boeke to clear, but it appears probable that the forward will qualify in time for the 2007-08 year.

“He’s a 6-10, 6-11, very skilled offensive player. He shoots the ball well for his size, a good passer,” Bennett said, going on to say that Boeke will get the opportunity to play as a freshman next season. “That’s the beauty of our team. If he’s good enough and can do it, he’ll have a chance. He is older. (He’ll) be a freshman, but he’s 20 years old. With his length and ability, we’ll have to see how he adapts to the American game and the speed and quickness and the ‘physicalness’ and all that stuff.”

Boeke’s commitment means that the Cougars will have four international players next season, with players from Australia, New Zealand and Serbia already on the roster.

“Perhaps if they’re over here in the States, perhaps they might be more difficult for us to persuade into coming to Washington State,” Bennett said. “But if you find them there and get on them early, we’ve had some luck with that. We have to think outside the box here. Look at our roster – we can’t just rely on Pullman to produce all the (players).”