Northwest Notes April 28, 2023

WSU men's basketball adds Kansas transfer Joseph Yesufu

PULLMAN — Joseph Yesufu, a junior transfer from Kansas, announced his commitment to the Washington State men’s basketball program for the 2023-24 season, Cougar coach Kyle Smith announced Thursday.

A 6-foot guard from Bolingbrook, Ill., Yesufu played in 69 games for the Jayhawks, including during KU’s run to the 2022 NCAA championship.

“Joseph is an incredible add to our roster,” Smith said in a school news release. “He brings leadership and experience from one of the best programs in the country. He was a significant contributor on a national championship team and earned starts on a talented Kansas roster.”

As a junior for the Jayhawks, Yesufu averaged 4.1 points per game in 2022-23, scoring in double figures four times.

Yesufu arrived in Lawrence prior to the 2021-22 season, after two seasons at Drake. During his time with the Bulldogs, he earned several Missouri Valley Conference honors, including MVC 2021 Sixth Man of the Year and recognition on the MVC Most-Improved Team.

“He brings explosive athleticism to our backcourt to help offset the loss of TJ [Bamba],” Smith added. “Joseph can get in the paint to distribute and score. He should also spearhead our defense at the point of the ball.”

Bamba, who played the past three seasons at WSU, averaging 15.8 points per game in 2022-23, hit the transfer portal and signed with Villanova.

At Drake, Yesufu averaged 12.8 points per game as a sophomore and 3.8 ppg during his freshman season. Prior to college, he was an Illinois All-State Honorable Mention at Bolingbrook High and was named the Herald News Boys Basketball Player of the Year, averaging 16.0 points. Yesufu will graduate in May from KU with a degree in business administration.