LAS VEGAS – WSU men's basketball senior
Cedric Coward was named to the 2024-25 WCC Preseason Team, the Conference announced Thursday morning. Washington State, playing as an affiliate member of the West Coast Conference for the next two seasons, was voted fifth in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll.
Coward, a transfer from Eastern Washington, was voted a unanimous Big Sky First Team All-Conference selection last season. The Fresno native averaged 15.4 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game in 2023-24, starting all 32 games to lead EWU to the conference regular season title.
Wazzu was selected fifth in the WCC after being selected to finish 10th in last year's Pac-12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, going on to finish second in the Pac-12 en route to an NCAA Tournament berth.
The Cougars, led by first-year head coach
David Riley, begin the season, Monday, Nov. 4, hosting Portland State at Beasley Coliseum. Wazzu welcomed eight transfers this offseason, including Coward and three additional Eastern Washington transfers.
The last time a Coach Riley squad was selected fifth in a preseason, at EWU in 2022-23, his team rattled off an 18-game unbeaten streak on the way to a Big Sky Conference regular season championship.
For the latest information on Washington State men's basketball and ticket options, visit wsucougars.com and follow the Cougars on social media.
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2024-25 WCC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
| Place |
Team |
First Place |
Points |
| 1. |
Gonzaga |
9 |
99 |
| 2. |
Saint Mary's |
1 |
86 |
| 3. |
Santa Clara |
|
81 |
| 4. |
San Francisco |
1 |
77 |
| 5. |
Washington State |
|
62 |
| 6. |
LMU |
|
60 |
| 7. |
Oregon State |
|
44 |
| 8. |
Portland |
|
28 |
|
San Diego |
|
28 |
| 10. |
Pacific |
|
23 |
| 11. |
Pepperdine |
|
17 |
2024-25 WCC Men's Basketball Preseason Team
| Name |
Yr. |
Pos. |
School |
| Michael Ajayi |
Sr. |
G |
Gonzaga |
| Adama-Alpha Bal |
Sr. |
G |
Santa Clara |
| Cedric Coward |
Sr. |
G |
Washington State |
| Nolan Hickman |
Sr. |
G |
Gonzaga |
| Graham Ike |
Sr. |
F |
Gonzaga |
| Augustas Marciulionis |
Sr. |
G |
Saint Mary's |
| Ryan Nembhard |
Sr. |
G |
Gonzaga |
| Jevon Porter |
Jr. |
F |
LMU |
| Mitchell Saxen |
Sr. |
C |
Saint Mary's |
| Carlos Stewart |
Sr. |
G |
Santa Clara |
| Marcus Williams |
Sr. |
G |
San Francisco |
