Ernie Kent makes a splash signing 4-star SF Roberto Gittens Jr.

With a few scholarship spots remaining on the 2017-18 WSU men’s basketball team, Ernie Kent has made a splash by signing 4-star prospect Roberto Gittens Jr. out of Tacoma, Washington.

First reported by CougFan, Gittens will be the first 4-star prospect to don the Crimson and Gray since a 6-foot-6 wing player out of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, signed with the Cougars in 2008. His name was Klay Thompson. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

Gittens, who stands 6-5 and already weighs 215 pounds, was recently named the Tacoma News Tribune’s All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Gittens helped lead Henry Foss High School to a 2A State Championship by averaging 22 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2 blocks this season.

In October, Gittens commited to Leon Rice and Boise State but reopened his recruitment back in early April. His recruiting profile lists offers from Montana, Colorado State, and Hofstra, but it’s worthy noting that Utah, Oregon, and Texas were starting to get hot on him.

Gittens is listed by Scout as the No. 30 small forward in the country and the third best in the state of Washington, behind Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri) and Corey Kispert (Gonzaga).

T.J. Cotterill of TNT wrote this feature on Gittens after he was named the POY back in late February, which details Gittens’ move to Tacoma from Long Island, his father’s playing career at Hofsta (under Jay Wright), and his temperament. Gittens claims he used to be a hothead on the court.

Gittens joins Tyler JC transfers Kwinton Hinson and Davante Cooper in Kent’s 2017 recruiting class with still two more scholarship spots available.