By: WSU Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. – Three Cougar men's basketball student-athletes earned recognition from the West Coast Conference as part of the WCC's postseason men's basketball awards announced Tuesday. WSU freshman student-athlete Tomas Thrastarson was named to the All-WCC Freshman Team, while junior Nate Calmese and redshirt-sophomore LeJuan Watts earned All-WCC Honorable Mention.
 
Tomas Thrastarson earned his first career conference honor, starting 10 games and playing in 28 games during his first season. The Icelandic native averaged 4.4 point per game and 2.9 rebounds per game, while blocking 18 shots. Thrastarson became the fourth Cougar freshman in the last five seasons to earn All-Freshman recognition.
 
Calmese started all 31 games and led the Cougars with 15.0 points per game, ranked seventh in the WCC in scoring, and added a team-best 48 steals, sixth in the Conference in steals per game. The Arizona native delivered 127 assists, 4.1 per game, the eighth-best average in the WCC. Calmese earned his second conference honor after being named the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year at Lamar in 2022-23.
 
Watts was named an honorable mention, ranking in the WCC top-15 in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Watts led the Cougars in assists, averaging 4.4 assists per game, sixth-best in the conference. The redshirt-sophomore averaged 13.3 points per game, 14th in the conference, while delivering eight double-doubles. The redshirt-sophomore averaged 6.6 rebounds per game, 10th in the WCC. Watts also earned his first-career triple-double and the program's second all-time triple-double at Santa Clara, Jan. 23. Watts' recognition marked his second-career conference honor after being named the unanimous Big Sky Freshman of the Year at Eastern Washington in 2023-24.
 
The Cougars will continue their season, Saturday, March 8, at the Credit Union 1 WCC Basketball Championship. WSU earned the No. 6 seed and double-bye into the third round of the tournament. Wazzu will face the winner between San Diego and LMU in Friday night's second round. Tip off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on ESPN+.