Lamar Washington signs with Pacific
Texas Tech transfer becomes Coach Smart's first official Tigers recruit
Since being named new Pacific Tigers Head Coach almost one month ago, Dave Smart has been cagey with his new roster building efforts, despite having numerous official visits with and evaluating a large cohort of potential players. If Smart’s first official recruit is any indication, expect his efforts to bear significant fruit going forward as 6’4” lefty guard Lamar Washington announced his commitment to the Tigers earlier today. Washington saw action in 30 games this past season as a sophomore at Texas Tech where Smart was an assistant coach.
“This is a huge get for our program.” commented Smart. “Lamar will help us in many aspects as a ball handler and decision maker in transition and controlling the tempo. He can get downhill, is strong in the ball screen game and understands how important it is for a winning program to have guards who can defend.”
Smart favorably compared Washington to one of his more decorated players from his days coaching at Carleton in Canada: “Lamar reminds me of a left-handed Kaza Kajami-Keane (two-time USports National champion at Carleton after transferring back to Canada from NCAA Division 1). Kajami-Keane, 30, has enjoyed a fantastic career in Europe, highlighted yesterday when he was named MVP of the championship game of the FIBA Europe Cup yesterday in Istanbul, Turkey. Kajami-Keane set a championship game record with 29 points as his club NINERS Chemnitz (Germany) won the title.
Expect Washington, orginally from Portland, OR, to log major minutes at the top of the Tigers rotation and be counted on to help establish the desired culture of the program. Washington was a former 4-star recruit who originally chose Texas Tech over offers from Texas, Auburn, Oregon State and Washington State.
Looking forward to sharing more news as it becomes available.