PULLMAN, Wash. – Isaac Jones and Isaiah Watts have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Washington State next season, WSU Head Coach Kyle Smith announced Friday. Jones, a transfer from the University of Idaho, was named the 2022-23 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year. Watts, an incoming freshman and 3-star recruit by 247Sports, is a 6-foot 3-inch guard and earned 2022 First Team All-Metro League honors at West Seattle High School.
 
Isaac Jones – 6'9" | Forward/Center | Spanaway, Wash. (Orting HS)
Jones will arrive at Washington State as a senior, after averaging 19.4 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game for the Idaho Vandals. Twice, Jones was named Big Sky Player of the Week, finishing with the best field goal percentage in the conference (.629) and ninth in the nation. Jones recorded 11 double-doubles last season, including a career-high 42 points against Sacramento State and grabbing 14 rebounds against Idaho State.
 
"Isaac is the addition we need to become the best version we can be," Smith said. "He adds length, skill, and feel to our frontcourt. He can play inside and out, has a great shooting touch, plays unselfish, and is easy to play with. Like Mo, he is someone you can play through on the offensive end and makes others better."
 
Prior to arriving at Idaho, Jones played three seasons at Wenatchee Valley College. He led the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) in scoring (25.3 ppg), rebounding (13.2 rpg), and field goal percentage (.695) in 2021-22 to be named the NWAC Player of the Year. Jones was also tabbed East Region Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
 
"Isaac provides an emotional and social maturity to our team with his veteran experience," Smith added. "He's relishing the opportunity to get the Cougs to the next level. As a local product from Spanaway, he and his fiancé Melia Gold met during his time at WVC. They embody what Coug basketball is about – faith, family, and team."
 
Isaiah Watts – 6'3" | Guard | Seattle, Wash. (South Kent School – Conn.)
Watts joins the Cougar program as the third freshmen in the 2023 class and the second from the state of Washington (Parker Gerrits). Watts played four years of basketball at West Seattle High School, twice picking up All-Metro League honors, before electing to complete a post-graduate year at South Kent School in Connecticut. The team went on to win the New England Prep School AAA Championship, earning Watts and the team a berth to the 2023 National Prep Championships.
 
"Isaiah is another in-state home run for the Cougs," Smith said. "He is someone we have watched closely over the last couple of years and we are thrilled when he became available. He is a long, rangy guard with a good feel for how to play the game. He can dribble, pass, drive, cut, and shoot at a high level. A year of prep school with South Kent and Coach Raphael Chillious have allowed him to mature physically, academically, and emotionally."

Watts is the son of Donald Watts, former Washington Huskies' standout who led the Pac-10 Conference in three-point percentage in 1998-99. Isaiah is also the grandson of former NBA Seattle SuperSonics great Slick Watts. A guard for the Sonics from 1973-1978, Slick and Seattle reached the 1978 NBA Finals for the first time in the organization's history.
 
"Isaiah comes from great basketball bloodlines," Smith added. "As a Washington native, he'll bring great pride and enthusiasm to the Palouse. Go Cougs!"