Cougs add Aussie guard

WASHINGTON STATE HAS SIGNED Dexter Kernich-Drew, a 6-6, 180-pound guard out of Melbourne, Australia, to a financial aid agreement the school announced today. The Caulfield Grammar standout, who was the 2009 Men’s Youth 1 League Player of the Year last year and is averaging 26.6 points midway through the 2010 season, will join WSU later this summer and participate in WSU's upcoming 2010-11 season.

Kernich-Drew joins an incoming 2010 class that includes F Patrick Simon (6-8, 205, Ephrata/Ephrata High), G Andre Winston, Jr. (6-1, 160, Lakewood/Lakes HS) and G Faisal Aden (6-4, 185, San Diego, Calif./Hillsborough CC).

Kernich-Drew averaged 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in 15 contests during the 2009 season. In eight games with Waverly in 2010, he’s averaged 26.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He was named the Big V Player of the Month for March, 2010, as he averaged 37.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists an outing.

Because Kernich-Drew signed a financial aid agreement, which differs substantially from a Letter of Intent, WSU is bound to hold a scholarship open for him, but the player before enrolling retains the option to back out of his agreement without penalty and then attend another school. The deadline for a player to sign an LOI for the late signing period came on May 19, five days ago.

With four recruits now in the fold this class, the Cougs will have no scholarships to give this next recruiting season, unless there is underclass attrition. Washington State has no seniors-to-be on the roster for the 2010-2011 season.