Washington State Basketball Faces New Era Under Coach David Riley

PULLMAN, Wash. — The Washington State men’s basketball program is navigating a transformative period after its most successful season in 15 years. Last season, the Cougars won 25 games and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008, but the departure of head coach Kyle Smith to Stanford and the exit of athletic director Pat Chun to the University of Washington left the program in flux. Now, under new head coach David Riley, the Cougars are rebuilding with a mix of young talent and experienced transfers.

Riley, 35, is one of the youngest head coaches in Division-I basketball. He brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Eastern Washington, where he led the Eagles to back-to-back Big Sky regular season titles and a top-10 national ranking in offensive efficiency. Riley’s hiring marks a new chapter for WSU, as the program adjusts to life without the Pac-12, which dissolved after 10 member schools left for other conferences.

“The Coug alumni base and just the fan base in general in the Northwest is unbelievable,” Riley said in an interview with Gonzaga on SI. “They’re really excited to build off the momentum that Kyle [Smith] had going here, and I think they’re passionate and ready to go on a run.”

Riley’s first season at WSU has been defined by roster turnover and a focus on establishing a new culture. He brought several players and assistants from Eastern Washington to Pullman, including standout forward Cedric Coward, who was averaging 15.4 points per game before a season-ending shoulder injury. Despite the setback, the Cougars have shown resilience, winning six of their first seven games without Coward.

Guard Nate Calmese, a transfer from Washington, has emerged as a key player for WSU, leading the team with 16.4 points and 4.3 assists per game. “He’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Riley said of Calmese. “His ability to score inside, come off handoffs, and play off ball screens makes him a complete player.”

WSU’s future remains uncertain as the program prepares to join the revamped Pac-12 in 2026. Until then, the Cougars are competing in the West Coast Conference, where Riley believes they can contend for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. “We want to be tough as hell and unselfish,” Riley said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that have a lot to prove, and that’s the biggest thing.”