BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head men’s basketball coach Tony Dominguez has announced that guards Tyler Payne and Micah Winn from Cerritos College have signed national letters of intent to play for the Vikings beginning in 2017-18.
“We feel like we added two quality young men and players to our program in Tyler and Micah,” said Dominguez, who is entering his sixth season as the Vikings head coach and 23rd overall at WWU. “They played in a high quality program at Cerritos College and are proven leaders on the court. They will be a nice addition to our large group of returning players and will blend well with the team chemistry.”
Payne (Long Beach, CA), a 6-1 guard, was a two-time First Team All-South Coast Conference selection while averaging 7.7 points per game during his Cerritos career. He also totaled 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016-17, he averaged 8.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 27 games (26 starts). In 2015-16, he averaged 7.9 points per game. He had a standout prep career at La Mirada High School, where he was an All-CIF selection and a member of the Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team as a senior.
“Tyler is an incredible captain and leader who has overcome numerous challenges (knee injury, appendectomy) to get to this moment,” said Cerritos head coach Russ May. “This guy makes everyone around him better and his tireless work ethic has inspired all his teammates. He has left a huge positive mark on the program. Western Washington just got better today.”
Winn (Los Angeles, CA), a 6-3 guard, starred for Cerritos from 2013-15 before taking the last two years off from competitive basketball. As a sophomore in 2014-15, Winn led the Falcons averaging 15.4 points per game, scoring in double-digits in 21 of 27 games and recording 11 20-point games. He was named the Cerritos College Most Valuable Player and earned First Team All-South Coast Conference honors for the second time in his junior college career. He ended his career at Cerritos averaging 12.3 points per game, appearing in 57 games and making 33 starts.
“Micah is a tenacious competitor with an incredible work ethic,” added May. “The kid can really score. I am incredibly proud of his persistence in accomplishing his AA degree and overcoming many obstacles along the way. Just a great story of dedication.”
Both players will be juniors in eligibility for the 2017-18 season.
WWU opens the 2017-18 season Nov. 10-11 hosting Hawai’i-Hilo, Notre Dame de Namur and Simon Fraser in the PacWest/GNAC Conference Challenge on WECU Court at Carver Gym. The Vikings are coming off a 25-6 campaign in 2016-17, winning both the Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season title and conference tournament. Western returns several key players from that team, including GNAC All-Stars Daulton Hommes (F, So., Lynden, WA/Lynden Christian) and Deandre Dickson (F/C, Sr., Easton, CA/Bakersfield College).
— @WWUHoops —
