Northwest Notes Aug. 15, 2021

Jakimovski changes mind, returns to WSU

The Cougars have brought back sophomore forward

Andrej Jakimovski, a sophomore forward who had planned to transfer to Loyola Maryland, has decided to return to Washington State, Cougars coach Kyle Smith announced.

Jakimovski, from Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia rejoins the team after briefly leaving the program in June and putting his name in the transfer portal.

"Andrej was and is an important part of our program," Smith said. "He has an awesome attitude, a relentless work ethic, and possesses incredible pride in our program ... We are humbled and grateful that Andrej has 'found his way back home.'"

As a freshman, Jakimovski played in 25 games, starting 19. He averaged 5.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 25.2 minutes per game, the highest minute-per-game average for any WSU freshman on the year.

He scored in double figures in eight games, including notching a season-best 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting (5 of 9 from deep) at Stanford on Jan. 9. He flirted with a triple-doubles vs Cal on Feb. 18 with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists and two days later against Stanford, Feb. 20, with 11 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in 51 minutes of play.