Cougars Make History: Rice Shines as Freshman of the Year

In a season that has been nothing short of remarkable, the Washington State Cougars men’s basketball team continues to etch its name in the history books. The Pac-12 All-Conference honors, announced on Tuesday, further solidified the Cougars’ incredible journey, with head coach Kyle Smith being named the Coach of the Year and freshman sensation Myles Rice becoming the first player in school history to earn the coveted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award.

Entering the season, expectations were tempered for the Cougars, as they were picked to finish a modest 10th in the Pac-12 standings. However, Smith and his team had other plans. With a roster full of players in their first year donning the crimson and gray, the Cougars have defied the odds, securing a second-place regular season finish and all but guaranteeing themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Smith’s recognition as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year is a testament to his exceptional leadership and ability to mold a team of newcomers into a cohesive, formidable unit. The last time a Washington State coach received this honor was in 2007, when Tony Bennett was at the helm. Smith’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable, guiding the Cougars to a 23-8 regular season record, their best in 15 years.

While Smith’s coaching prowess has been instrumental in the team’s success, the true star of the season has been Myles Rice. The guard from Columbia, South Carolina, has etched his name in the annals of Washington State basketball history, becoming the first player ever to be named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

Rice’s journey to this point has been nothing short of inspirational. Almost a year ago to the day, he was battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a battle he eventually won, with his cancer going into remission. Fast forward to the present, and Rice has set school records for a freshman in points, steals, and field goals attempted, cementing himself as having the best first season on the court in Washington State’s illustrious history.

But Rice’s accolades don’t stop there. He has also earned a spot on the Pac-12 First Team All-Conference, a remarkable achievement for a freshman. His consistent performances and clutch plays have been instrumental in the Cougars’ success, earning him the weekly Freshman of the Year award an impressive seven times throughout the season.

Joining Rice on the All-Conference teams is senior transfer Isaac Jones, who also earned First Team honors. Jones, who spent one season with the Idaho Vandals before joining the Cougars, quickly established himself as one of the conference’s best low-post players. His ability to dominate the paint and his team-leading numbers in points and rebounds per game have been crucial to Washington State’s success.

Another player who has made a significant impact for the Cougars is Jaylen Wells, a transfer from Sonoma State. Wells, an All-American prior to joining Washington State, earned an Honorable Mention nod for his hot shooting from beyond the arc. His clutch performances, including a memorable four-point play to lift the Cougars over the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, have been instrumental in the team’s success in conference play.

As the Cougars prepare for the postseason, the future looks bright for this talented group of players. With Kyle Smith at the helm and the dynamic duo of Myles Rice and Isaac Jones leading the charge, Washington State basketball has firmly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 and beyond.