PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State men's basketball head coach Kyle Smith announced the addition of three student-athletes for next year's 2023-24 season, Monday. Freshman Rueben Chinyelu (Nigeria), junior college transfer Oscar Cluff (Sunshine Coast, Australia), and freshman Parker Gerrits (Olympia, Wash.) will join the Cougs ahead of next season.
 
Rueben Chinyelu | Forward/Center
A 6-foot-11 power forward and center, Chinyelu hails from Nigeria by way of NBA Academy Africa, an elite basketball training center in Senegal for the top high-school age prospects from across Africa. Chinyelu most recently participated in the 2022 NBA Academy Games, a series of exhibition games featuring top NBA Academy prospects. Chinyelu helped lead NBA Academy Africa to a first-place finish in the tournament. Last spring, Chinyelu played for Mozambique's CFV in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as part of an initiative to include one NBA Academy Africa player on each team.
 
"We are blessed to have Rueben coming to us next year," Smith said of Chinyelu. "He is not only an excellent prospect, but he embodies everything we want in a student-athlete for Washington State University. As a player, Rueben has the potential to be not only a force in the paint, but also a player who can play inside and out. He will play power forward and center for us."
 
Chinyelu competed for Nigeria in the 2019 FIBA U16 Africa Championship. Chinyelu carried his country to the third-place game while averaging 12.3 points and 17.6 rebounds per game and shooting .567 from the floor. He made his debut for the Nigerian Senior National Team in August, participating in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.
 
"Like recent players in our program, Efe Abogidi and Mouhamed Gueye, Rueben is relatively new to the game and is rapidly improving in all aspects," Smith added. "Rueben is coming to us from the same development program as Efe Abogidi, the NBA Academy Africa. Although the Academy has only been active for five years, it is producing some of the best young talents in the world. Rueben's signing is the culmination of our staff's commitment to recruiting overseas, especially West Africa.  Rueben would not be here without John Andrzejek's relentless hard work.
 
"Rueben's athletic potential and accomplishments are only overshadowed by who he is as a person," Smith said. "He has an incredible attitude and work ethic in everything he does as evidenced by his 4.0 GPA. He is a true student-athlete. We cannot wait for Rueben to wear the Crimson and Gray."
 
Rueben will be Washington State's fourth player from West Africa that has played under Coach Smith.
 
Oscar Cluff | Forward
A 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward, Cluff headlines the frontcourt at Cochise College (Ariz.). During his freshman season, Cluff led the Apaches to a 29-4 record last season and the conference title in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. The Sunshine Coast, Australia native led the country in field goal percentage with a .750 clip (165-of-220) while averaging 12.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Cochise won their region, advancing to the NJCAA Division I Tournament before falling to national-runner up Salt Lake CC in the Round of 32.
 
"We are thrilled to add Oscar to our program," Coach Smith said. "He is a big body with great length and excellent feel for the game. He has a soft touch around the basket and is a willing passer.  In addition, with his length and width, he will provide us with great rim protection. More importantly, in my opinion, he plays for one of the best coaches I know in Jerry Carrillo, and one of the best basketball programs at any level.  Cochise understands team and winning."
 
Through two games this season, Cochise is 2-0 with Cluff shooting 18-of-24 from the floor with 36 points and 25 rebounds.
 
"Oscar has been a true pleasure to coach and work with," Cochise Head Coach Jerry Carrillo said of Cluff. "We are very proud of him and excited for him to move onto Washington State in the Pac-12 next season. Oscar still has some unfinished business here at Cochise College in the NJCAA. For Oscar to go play under Coach Kyle Smith and Jim Shaw is a great thing for him. You really don't get much better than those two coaches at any level. We hope Oscar has a great career at Washington State and makes a positive impact on the Palouse."
 
Parker Gerrits | Guard
A native of Olympia, Wash., Gerrits enters his senior season at Olympia High School. As a 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard, Gerrits helped the Bears to a 26-6 record during his junior season, averaging a team-best 19 points per game to lead Olympia to the South Puget Sound League championship, District 3 title, and third-place finish at the 4A Washington State Championships with a school record 26 wins. Gerrits earned First-Team All-SPSL honors and was named to the 4A All-State First Team.
 
"We are thrilled to add Parker Gerrits to our program," Coach Smith said. "He is a hard-nosed point guard who can play on and off the ball.  He is an excellent shooter with range and a willing passer. He comes from Olympia High School, which has a great tradition of winning. He is another in-state player who will wear the crimson and gray with great pride.
 
"In addition, like Dylan Darling, he is a legacy.  His mom, Shelley, and his dad, Ryan, both attended Wazzu.  They are regulars at The Cougar Cottage when they are in town. Cougs always find their way back home."
 
Gerrits, who added 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and two steals per game in 2021-22 can also shoot from range. Last season finishing over 40% from beyond the arc and over 80% from the charity stripe. Entering his senior season, Gerrits was named to Preseason 4A All-State Team by PrepHoops.com.
 
"Parker is the consummate student-athlete," Olympia Head Coach John Kiley said. "He has an insatiable desire to be the best he can be in every area. He will leave Olympia as one of the most accomplished players to ever play for the Bears. Parker is a passionate leader and loves Pullman and the Cougars unconditionally. WSU is getting an intense competitor and tremendous student athlete."