Women’s Basketball Signs 6-5 Bianca Blanaru from Romania

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State head women’s basketball coach June Daugherty announced that Bianca Blanaru has signed a financial aid agreement to join the program as a freshman next season.

“We are thrilled to add a post player with the skill, size, and work ethic that Bianca will bring to our program,” Daugherty stated. “On her visit she made quite the impression on our team with her genuine personality and how great a teammate she will be. Cougar basketball faithful will love to see her soft hands, physical play, and versatility in the post. She is exactly the type of student-athlete we want in our program; a great student, team-first mentality, and the ability to be a special player on the court.”

Blanaru, a 6-5 center out of Timisoara, Romania, represented the Romania Under-18 National Team at the European Championships in 2012 and was a member of the Under-20 National Team last year. She recently played for the BCM Timisoara club team in Romania. Blanaru represented Romania in the 2012 FIBA 3x3 World Championships in Spain. Blanaru originally signed a national letter of intent with the University of Arkansas last November but was released from the agreement following a coaching change.

“I’ve found in WSU, great people that can surround me during my college experience,” Blanaru said. “I’m coming from so far away and I needed a new family that can embrace me like mine does, that’s why I chose to become a Cougar. Great teammates make great teams!”

Passion Hoops International gave huge praise on the signing. “Bianca is one of those rare diamonds that is waiting to be put on display. Her upside is simply amazing. Not often do you find a 6-5 player with footwork, agility and a touch like her. She is a player that will show up in a big way once she settles into the system. She can run the floor, she can post up and face the basket. Her ability to score in a variety of ways will take effect once she settles in. Coach Daugherty just got herself a true gem!”

Blanaru joins an already impressive signing class that is rated one of the top recruiting classes in the country by Blue Star Basketball. Also joining the Cougars later this fall are 6-2 guard Ashley Bolston (Medford, Ore.), 6-2 forward Louise Brown (Park Orchards, Victoria, Australia), 5-9 guard Caila Hailey (Inglewood, Calif.), 6-3 forward Nike McClure (Tenino, Wash.), 5-7 guard Krystle McKenzie (Brisbane, Australia) and 5-8 point guard Pinelopi Pavlopoulou (Athens, Greece).