WSU Basketball: Eastern Washington Transfer LeJuan Watts Provides Versatile Skillset for Cougars

Yet another player to come with David Riley from EWU, Watts will bring quality minutes to Washington State.

Keenan Womack | Aug 27, 2024

Jan 13, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars mascot Butch performs before a game against the Arizona Wildcats at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

When David Riley announced his move from Eastern Washington to Washington State, a slew of transfers were announced, most of whom followed the accomplished coach to Pullman to play for the Cougars.

Forward LeJuan Watts was one of these players, a 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman entering his sophomore season after a productive first year on the court for the Eagles. In his first campaign, he averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 61.2% from the field and 40.7% from deep.

Though his attempts from deep were limited, the percentage remains impressive – his 21-point outburst against Montana State sticks out as his most impressive performance, a game in which he hit 8-of-11 shots as well as hitting all four free-throw attempts.

He scores most of his points at the rim, having taken 71.3% of his shots in that area of the floor. He's a good cutter as well as a good finisher inside, though he does like to post up as well despite being just 6-foot-6. He often seems to know where to be for an easy look, which speaks to his basketball IQ and awareness on the offensive end,

An underrated part of his game is his playmaking ability as well – having averaged 1.7 dimes per game, he had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio on the season, which is atypical for a young player, especially one that is not a primary ball handler. He makes good reads out of the post, but is also able to access passes off of the bounce due to a handle that is pretty advanced given his position as a wing.

Additionally, he makes plays on the defensive end of the ball, averaging 1.3 stocks per game (0.4 blocks plus 0.9 steals). He has potential to be a real two-way wing this season, and learning behind NBA-caliber small forward Cedric Coward will only be of more benefit to him.

Of the entire group of players to transfer from EWU to Washington State, Watts may be the most underrated.

Published Aug 27, 2024

KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.