Impact player: WSU’s Malachi Flynn

Malachi Flynn may only be a freshmen, but the youngster from Tacoma’s Bellarmine Prep is expected to be a difference-maker for the Cougars in his first year. Flynn has been starting at point guard since WSU’s offseason trip to Italy, and his teammates and coaches have gushed about the affect his presence on the floor has had.

Flynn is already one of the team’s best players, and recruiting him gives the Cougars a foothold in the fertile Puget Sound recruiting area. Flynn was the Washington State 4A Player of the Year last year, giving WSU the MVP from the state’s largest high school classification in consecutive seasons. Sophomore Viont’e Daniels, also from Tacoma, earned the honor when he was a high school senior.

Nobody has higher expectations for Flynn than his head coach, Ernie Kent, who says that he is already one of WSU’s savviest players on the court, both offensively and defensively. In Italy, the teen routinely stole the ball from much older adults because of his superior basketball IQ.

While Flynn has already grasped WSU’s defensive scheme and rotations, it is on offense where he will make the biggest impact. Flynn can stretch the floor with his shooting, and his passing ability will immediately make WSU’s post players more effective.