Washington State Basketball
I have finally made it to the end of my article series of all-time starting five’s for Pac-12 basketball. Washington State is the last team on the list. Washington State basketball made six NCAA Tournament appearances and one Final Four appearance in 1941. Also, the Cougars played in five NIT Tournaments with a record of 7-5.
Center Steve Puidokas
Steve Puidokas is the first Washington State player to have his No.55 jersey retired, as a sophomore, Puidokas averaged 22.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. By the time he left Washington State, Puidokas was the Cougar’s all-time leading scorer (1,894) and rebounder (992). In 2012, Puidokas was elected to the Pac-12 Hall of Honor and finished his time at Washington State, averaging 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Power Forward Mark Hendrickson
Mark Hendrickson was known for being the team’s heart and soul in his time at Washington State. Hendrickson made the All-Pac-10 team twice. In four years, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Hendrickson had an outstanding inside-outside game and was an excellent rebounder.
Small forward Don Collins
Don Collins was Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1980 when he averaged 23.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 59% from the field. Collins helped lead the Cougars to their first NCAA Tournament since 1941 in 1980. Collins made three All-Pac-10 teams. In four years, Collins scored 14.7 points while shooting 56% from the field.
Shooting Guard Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson is probably the best player in Washington State Cougars’ history. As a sophomore, Thompson won Most Outstanding Player in the Great Alaskan Shootout and scored 43 points in the championship game. Thompson led the Pac-10 in scoring as junior, scoring 21.6 points per game. In the 2011 Pac-10 tournament, Thompson set a tournament record with 43 points and 8 three’s. Thompson finished the season setting Washington State’s single-season scoring record with 733 points. In three years, the former Cougar star averaged 17.9 points while shooting 45% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. Thompson was an outstanding player at Washington State; he could flat out shoot the ball.
Point Guard Guy Williams
Guy Williams was a 6’9 point guard and played two years at San Francisco before coming to Washington State. As a senior, Williams averaged 18.8 points, 8.9 rebounds while shooting 56%. In two years at Washington State, Williams scored 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.