In the news:
Originally published Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Gilles Dierickx, a 7-footer from Belgium, will transfer to Huskies
The Washington basketball team gets a big man, who will sit out next season due to NCAA rules but play in 2013.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Latest from the Husky Football & Basketball blogs
Another new Husky? Blakley reportedly gives commitment to UW NEW - 5/14, 12:58 PM
C.J. Wilcox undergoes foot surgery NEW - 5/17, 02:55 PM
Washington received a verbal commitment from Gilles Dierickx, a 7-foot freshman who plans to transfer from Florida International.
The Belgian big man will sit out next season due to NCAA rules and will have three years of eligibility beginning in 2013.
He considered the University of San Francisco and USC before taking a trip to UW on Wednesday. That night he agreed to play for the Huskies.
"I made my mind up pretty quick," he said. "I just knew once I got here."
Dierickx averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds at FIU while playing in 29 games and starting 15. He shot 48.6 percent (34 of 70) from the field and 80 percent (8 of 10) from the line.
The other 2012 class members include junior guard Mark McLaughlin, a transfer from Tacoma Community College, and senior forward/center Perris Blackwell, a transfer from the University of San Francisco. Blackwell will also redshirt next season.
Dierickx likened himself to former UW standout Spencer Hawes while Todd Wolfson, his former coach at West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade, compared him to a "poor man's Dirk Nowitzki."
"If you're looking for a guy to sit in the post and work block to block, that's not his game," Wolfson said. "He's got good moves when he gets the ball, but he's more of a catch it and face up. More of a typical European."
Dierickx weighs 217 pounds and wants to bulk up before the 2013-14 season.
Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com.
On Twitter @percyallen
Google+
