PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State Women’s Basketball Head Kamie Ethridge and the staff have announced the signing of two newcomers to join the Cougars for the 2027-28.
The signing class includes two incoming freshmen from Australia, including Lily Exton, a 6-3 forward from Yarra Glen, Victoria and Nikki Parker a 6-0 guard from Devonport, Tasmania.
“I am so excited to introduce our two newest, and Australian, additions to our Coug program,” said Ethridge. “I believe in Lily and Nikki. I believe these two players, over the course of their careers, will be in Coug record books in multiple categories. Their talent and competitive nature is big-time and will help us compete for future Pac-12 championships. Nikki and Lily fit with our team to perfection. They are Cougs through and through. Help us welcome Lily Exton and Nikki Parker to the Coug family! Go Cougs!”
Lily Exton – 6-3, F, Yarra Glen, Victoria, Mount Lilydale Mercy College
From Yarra Glen, Australia, and a graduate of Mount Lilydale Mercy College ... A 6-foot-3 power forward and center, also played netball and Australian rules football ... Played in the NBL1 in Australia with the Kilsyth Cobras ... Averaged 8.53 points, 8.32 rebounds, 1.05 steals and 1.79 assists in 2026 ... Earned Victorian Youth Championship Leading Rebounder and VYC Finals MVP honors in 2025, followed by selection to the VYC All-Star Five in 2026 ... Plans to study sports management and conservation ecology ... Father, Andy Goodwin, played Australian rules football.
Coach Ethridge on Lily Exton: “Lily Exton is a strong, physical and tough post player. Lily likes the contact, mostly giving it, and the physicality of the game. She has great instincts for rebounds and the ball. We believe Lily adds a dimension to our post game that we do not have in our program. Her versatility and potential are what drew us to her. Lily is outgoing and strong willed. Those attributes make her an elite teammate and competitor. She will be a force in our program for her entire career.”
Nikki Parker | 6-0, G, Devonport, Tasmania, Marist Regional College
A 6-foot guard from Devonport, Australia who played basketball at Marist Regional College for six years and graduated in 2026... Earned State Representative recognition as a freshman and sophomore, and was part of the Australian Squad as a junior... As a senior, was a State Representative and WNBL Development Player.
Coach Ethridge on Nikki Parker: “Nikki Parker is one of the most versatile wings we have ever recruited at WSU. We did not go into summer recruiting thinking we needed a wing until I saw Nikki play. Nikki impacts the game in so many ways. She has a big motor, high IQ and basketball feel and can guard multiple positions. It is so important for us to sign players that have big offensive skills and Nikki brings that. She is a player that we feel will always have an advantage over her defender because she can shoot the three, post up and score off the dribble.”