The Wyoming basketball program had one scholarship available and will use it on former USC Trojan Leonard Washington, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward who is leaving USC. He will sit out the 2010-11 season because of NCAA transfer rules.

UW head coach Heath Schroyer and his staff likes keeping a scholarship open for D1 transfers and Washington was a perfect fit.

The Pokes only graduate one player after next season in forward Djibril Thiam.

Washington signed with USC in 2008 under Tim Floyd while rated as one of the top three players in the state of Louisiana receiving interest from multiple major NCAA programs including Kentucky and Oklahoma State.

During his freshmen season for the Trojans, he averaged 9.8 points and 6.7 rebounds before injuring his ankle.

Washington's sophomore campaign at USC produced 6.2 PPG and 4.4 RPG.

The former Louisiana product played at Washington-Marion High School in Lake Charles, averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds per game in helping lead his team to the state championship game in 2007.

"I would say I'm good at just driving to the basket and being able to finish over the defender," said Washington. "They say I'm a good on the court leader and I can play with anybody. (I need to work on) my perimeter game like my dribbling and things like that."

Washington has big time potential and athleticism not yet reached in his college career and is looking for the right program to fit his needs.

UW head coach Heath Schroyer and his staff likes keeping a scholarship open for D1 transfers and Washington was a perfect fit.

"(I want to go) somewhere that I will get a chance to come in and play immediately," said Washington while USC originally recruited him, "where I'll get the chance to work hard and play right away."

Washington says he does enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and riding horses, which should help him adapt to Laramie.



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