Washington State's Parker Gerrits is set for his redshirt-freshman season, but before even stepping on the court, Gerrits has made all kinds of an impact on the program, while living out his childhood dream.
Growing up in Olympia, Washington, Gerrits fell in love with basketball at a young age. His dad coached for the high school team and Gerrits remembers always following him around his practices and from there Gerrits fell in love with the game.
Throughout his childhood, Gerrits played basketball, but it was not until he got to high school that Gerrits thought he could take his talents to the next level.
In his final year playing for Olympia High School, Gerrits lead the team to a 24-6 record, and in the state postseason tournament, he earned all-tournament first-team after leading the Bears to their first state championship game since 1998.
After his final year in high school, Gerrits became one of the top point guard prospects in the state of Washington. Gerrits had offers from schools all around the Pacific Northwest. Gerrits was all but set on a school, but WSU came into the process late and it shook up his decision.
When Washington State offered Gerrits, it served as a full circle moment. Gerrits grew up a Cougar fan, both of his parents were WSU alumni, and he even recalls going to Cougar games before he was even one year old. Naturally, when WSU offered Gerrits his decision became a lot easier.
"Knowing about the Pullman community, the fanbase, the university and knowing so many family friends who have come to WSU, and said such good things about it, made it an easy decision," Gerrits said. "Once they first called me, I texted all my family members saying, 'you won't believe who just called me.'"
To no surprise for people close to Gerrits, in September of 2022 his dreams came true. He committed to his dream school -- Washington State.
Last season as a freshman, Gerrits redshirted, watching from the bench and developing skills for the next level. At times, it proved to be hard for Gerrits, but he was able to learn from the experience.
"It's hard because you're so used to being the main guy all your life then when I came in and they told me I couldn't play a single second. Just sitting back and having that competitive hunger sitting on the bench and thinking I could be out there," Gerrits explained. "But you have to take the right mindset into it and think I'm here to learn and get better, it will be beneficial in the end."
Over the course of the 2023-24 season, Gerrits learned a lot and was a part of one of the best Washington State basketball seasons in program history. Coming to Cougar games since a young age, Gerrits was able to be on the inside of the postseason run, as the community rallied around Cougar athletics.
"I've always been a part of the following for Cougar athletics, to now be a part of the team and being the ones cheered on and see it in a different way than you have your whole life was pretty special," Gerrits said.
Amid the offseason, the Cougar basketball program saw a lot of turnover in coaching and player personnel, but Gerrits was one of two student-athletes to stick with the program and pledged his loyalty to Wazzu.
"I knew a lot of guys were going to go and no matter what coach came in I knew I was going to stay and continue the legacy of WSU men's basketball and build off of last year," Gerrits said.
Over the offseason, WSU landed former Eastern Washington Head Coach David Riley, who is familiar with Gerrits, as Riley recruited him at Eastern. With a familiar face at the helm, Gerrits said the transition has been smooth so far.
"I love our new offensive system and defensive principles." Gerrits said. "It's like you're a freshman all over again. We have a whole new team and a whole new group of guys to learn and bond with."
Gerrits is excited for the start of the season, but also expressed his excitement in the program heading forward, and his hope to be at the forefront of it.
"Starting a new legacy of Cougar basketball, going back to the tournament in however long, seeing the community rally around and creating a new vision for Cougar basketball has determined me to continue the legacy."
