In the past, gritty underdogs have enjoyed success at Wichita State, often winning over fans at Koch Arena.
Corey Washington aspires to be the next standout, having announced his commitment to Wichita State on Monday following an official visit two weeks earlier.
Standing 6’6″ and weighing 180 pounds, Washington is a forward with two years of eligibility left. His impressive athleticism and high energy make him well-suited to play as a stretch power forward in the American Athletic Conference.
He certainly excelled in his role at Saint Peter’s, averaging a team-high 15.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 28.3 minutes per game this past season. In the MAAC tournament championship game, he scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and blocked four shots, earning tournament MVP honors and helping the team secure a spot in March Madness.
Washington was particularly effective at the foul line, achieving a notable 47.4% foul rate (similar to Morris Udeze’s performance for WSU in the 2021-22 season) and converting 78.8% of his free throw attempts on 5.8 tries per game. His total of 150 free throw attempts was 50 more than any WSU player managed last season.
This style of play reflects his journey as a native of Sherwood, Ark., where he received no Division I scholarship offers out of high school. His journey to Saint Peter’s began when he purchased his own flight to try out for the team. After impressing during pick-up games, Washington earned a spot on the roster and quickly rose to become the team’s top player, leading the Peacocks to the NCAA tournament in just two years.
Washington is versatile enough to play either forward position, but given WSU’s preference for three-guard lineups, he is likely to team up with returning player Ronnie DeGray III at power forward.
He marks the third transfer portal addition for Wichita State’s 2024 recruiting class, joining Georgia point guard Justin Hill and Lipscomb shooter A.J. McGinnis. Additionally, the Shockers signed high school guards Zion Pipkin from Texas and T.J. Williams from Wichita in the fall.
With seven players returning from last season, including key contributors like Quincy Ballard, Xavier Bell, Harlond Beverly, Bijan Cortes, and Ronnie DeGray III, there’s still one spot left on the 2024-25 roster.
WSU aims to fill this spot with a center, an ongoing process. Recently, they hosted 7-foot Longwood transfer Szymon Zapala for a visit, although sources suggest he might be leaning toward a Big Ten program.
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