PULLMAN, Wash. – Alex Yano joined the Washington State men's basketball staff as the director of operations, WSU Head Coach Kyle Smith announced Wednesday. Yano most recently completed his graduate degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, while working with the Hawaii Men's Basketball team as a graduate manager.
 
Yano is a 2020 graduate of WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication with an emphasis in journalism and media production. The Colorado native spent two seasons as the head manager under Coach Kyle Smith, assisting with practice preparation, statistical analysis, team video, and day-to-day program operations.
 
During the 2021-22 season, Yano and the Cougars advanced to the National Invitation Tournament semifinals in New York City, becoming the first Wazzu team since 2011 to play in the NIT postseason. The 2021-22 Cougars finished with 22 wins under then-third year head coach Kyle Smith.