Washington State Lands Top Division II Guard in Lazerek Houston, Shoring Up Backcourt After Major Exodus

Washington State basketball just landed a steal. The Cougars announced Tuesday morning that they've signed Central Missouri transfer Lazerek Houston, a guard who dominated the Division II ranks as a true freshman and was regarded as the top Division II player available in the transfer portal this cycle. This is the second major offseason addition for WSU coach David Riley and his staff, and it signals they're serious about bouncing back after losing 12 players.

Houston's Freshman Season Was Absolutely Ridiculous

Listed at 6 feet and 155 pounds, Houston put up numbers that jump off the screen. We're talking 20.8 points per game to go with 4 rebounds and 5 assists, shooting 46.2% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. This kid was efficient and he could score in bunches.

Want proof? His debut was a 35-point showing against Colorado School of Mines where he also dropped 11 assists and 4 steals in the same game. He hit 30 points six other times during the season, including a 34-point performance against Northwest Missouri State and 32-point games against both Missouri State and West Texas A&M. Houston also proved he's not just a scorer: he dished out double-digit assists three times, including 12 against Emporia State and 10 against Drury. This is a guy who understands how to run an offense.

His breakout season earned him MIAA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. He was also rated the top freshman in DraftExpress's Division II model.

Filling a Massive Hole After a Roster Overhaul

Houston arrives as WSU faces a brutal rebuilding situation. The Cougars are losing 12 players heading into next season, including 10 who entered the transfer portal. That's a complete gutting of the roster with only two returning players: Dominik Robinson and walk-on guard Dio Blakely.

With Houston and Manhattan transfer Fraser Roxburgh, who committed Monday, plus incoming freshmen Casey Jones and Brayden Kyman, WSU's 2026-27 squad is starting to take shape. That's six players on the board so far.

Can He Make the Jump?

The obvious question: can a Division II star thrive at the Division I level? WSU has recent proof it's possible. Jaylen Wells made the leap from Division II to become a cornerstone of the Cougars' 2023-24 squad and went on to be selected No. 39 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. Houston has the ball-handling, the shooting touch, and the scoring instincts to follow a similar path. The Cougars needed this kind of backcourt firepower, and Houston fits the bill.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.