Idaho Lands Gem State Legend: Kase Wynott Returns Home as All-Time Scoring Record Holder

The University of Idaho men's basketball program struck gold Friday when Kase Wynott, Idaho's all-time high school scoring leader, signed with the Vandals after spending two seasons at Washington State. The 6-foot-6 guard from Lapwai High brings a resume that reads like a prep basketball fairy tale, and now he is coming home to play for coach Alex Pribble's squad.

A Record-Breaking Legacy at Lapwai High

Wynott's prep career at Lapwai High, located on the Nez Perce Reservation east of Lewiston, stands as the gold standard of Idaho high school basketball. The dynamic scorer holds the state's all-time scoring record with 2,962 career points and claimed the single-game scoring record with a stunning 68-point performance. As a senior, Wynott nearly averaged a triple-double, posting 36 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game while earning 2024 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

At Lapwai, Wynott won three state championships with the Wildcats, including two alongside current Vandals senior guard Titus Yearout. His dominance made him one of the most coveted recruits in the region, drawing interest from Utah State, Washington, Eastern Washington, and Idaho before ultimately committing to Washington State.

The Transfer Portal Brings Him Back to the Palouse

After limited production at Washington State over two seasons, Wynott entered the transfer portal as one of 10 Cougars to do so following WSU's 12-20 campaign. In 24 games as a freshman, he averaged just 1.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game. Last season saw even fewer opportunities, appearing in only five games while averaging 4.0 points in 9.6 minutes per game.

"Kase is coming home," Pribble said in a statement announcing the signing. "He was a recruit we really prioritized when our staff first got here, so it's exciting to officially get him in a Vandal uniform."

The coach emphasized Wynott's elite skill set and competitive nature. "We want the best players from Idaho to be in this program, and Kase is the all-time leading scorer from the state, so we're very excited," Pribble added. "He can really score the ball, he's got a diverse skill set, and he's a competitor. He'll make an immediate impact next year."

Wynott's arrival comes as Idaho continues rebuilding after losing forward Jackson Rasmussen, the Big Sky Freshman of the Year, to Oregon State. The Vandals, who won the Big Sky Conference Tournament and earned their first NCAA Tournament bid in 36 years, are also welcoming Canadian guard TJ Wal and California sharpshooter Nolan Newman-Gomez as Pribble reshapes his roster for another run at conference contention.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.