Cougars Bolster Backcourt, Land International G Brunel Madzou

Bolstering their backcourt, the Washington State Cougars signed international guard Brunel Madzou as a fun new addition to their recruiting class. Credit: Drive Basketball Academy/Instagram

Boosting their recruiting class with some international flavor, the Washington Cougars announced the signing of their newest guard Brunel Madzou on Sunday.

Madzou, a 6-1 prospect out of Helinski, Finland, last played for Drive Academy in the U20 EYBL league in Europe, where averaged 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. During their 12-game season, he shot 49.2 percent from the field as the team wound up capturing a U20 championship behind his stellar play.

In addition, Madzou also played for the U18 Helsinski Basketball Academy in the Adidas Next Generation tournament, where in four games he contributed 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assist, and 3.0 steals per game. He did struggle with his jump shot for Drive Academy and in the Next Generation tournament, where he shot a combined 7-32 from three point range. He looks to help improve a defense that ranked 198th in the country according to Kenpom.

The latest commitment from the Drive Academy squad, Madzou played alongside Drake commit Tom Guma, Texas A&M commit Emil Martinez, and North Carolina State commit Jamye Kontuniemi. Overall, the program has had seven players from last year’s squad sign with collegiate programs.

Madzou is the seventh known commitment of the offseason for the Cougars, joining their four transfer portal additions in Boise State wing Emmanuel Ugbo, Morehead State guard Jerone Morton, Texas Tech wing Eemeli Yalaho, and High Point forward Simon Hildebrandt along with incoming freshman guards Aaron Glass and Dio Blakely.