Wyoming head coach Larry Shyatt enters his second season has head coach with a young basketball team.

The Pokes will have only four upperclassmen and three seniors on a team adding six newcomers. Wyoming returns 7 players from a team that surprised with 21 wins, where only four played significant minutes.

The GoWyoGo.com breaks down the UW 2012-13 basketball roster with two weeks until official practices start.

RETURNEES

F Leonard Washington (6-foot-7, 245 Sr)
Washington weathered a tough offseason and was reinstated giving the Cowboys a boost. The big, athletic forward can score, rebound, and defend with the top players in the Mountain West and favorite candidate for all-conference.

G Luke Martinez (6-foot-4, 190 Sr)
Martinez will be one of the go to guys on offense and brings good shooting range from the perimeter. He struggled on shooting toward the end of the season and the Pokes need his shot consistency.

F Larry Nance, Jr. (6-foot-9 and 215 So)
Nance showed potential as a freshmen and has the makeup to develop into one of the league's best forwards. Can he make a good jump in productivity from frosh-to-soph? The Cowboys will need him to step his play to the next level.

G Derrious Gilmore (5-10, 170 Sr)
Gilmore looks to be the player taking over for Jaydee Luster at point guard. He has a more of a dynamic offensive game than Luster but can he replace the graduated senior's good defense and floor game?

G Riley Grabau (6-2, 175 So)
Coach Shyatt has always liked Grabau's approach and feel to the game. The sophomore will have ample opportunity to contrbute in his second season whether coming off the bench or starting at the 2 spot. He has the chance to give the Pokes a lift with a good floor game and perimeter shooter.

G Shakir Smith (6-2, 170 So)
Smith didn't play much as a freshmen and it will be interesting to see where he fits into Shyatt's program. He brings decent quickness and some offensive potential with development.

G Jack Bentz (6-1, 175 So)
Bentz is a second year walk on and brings good practice habits and contribution to preparation. He plays with a coaches son mentality.

NEWCOMERS

F Derek Cooke (6-9, 210 So)
Cooke is extremely athletic and should contribute right away as a defender and rebounder, and possible third option in the interior to Washington and Nance. The Cowboys like his upside while he still has work to do to become a formible offensive player.

G Nathan Sobey (6-4, 190 Jr)
Sobey was brought in from Juco to fill the void of the graduated and steady Paco Cruz. The Cowboys hope to get some offensive punch from a player that can shoot and will bring a bit more athleticism to the perimeter positions.

C Matt Sellers (6-10, 250 So)
Sellers is a bit of project brought in at mid-semester giving the UW staff more time to work with him. He appears to have a good shooting touch and brings size to the interior, including dropping weight making him leaner and more agile during the offseason.

G Josh Adams (6-2, 180 Fr)
Adams could be a great find for the Cowboy program. He possesses sneaky athleticism with a good shooting touch. He also has a good feel to the game and chance to play solid minutes as a freshmen.

G Jason McNanamen (6-5, 180 Fr)
The Wyoming high school product has surprised early during the summer and games in Canada, and could develop into a good player in Laramie. He has good range as a shooter and once he matures, looks to be an ideal small forward.

F Austin Haldorson (6-9, 190 Fr)
Haldorson brings upside because of his skills for his height. He needs to add weight and still has development ahead. His future could be a promising one under the coaching of Shyatt and his staff.

TRANSFER REDSHIRT

G Charles Hankerson, Jr (6-5, 220 Jr)
Hankerson will sit out this season because of NCAA transfer rules coming from Alabama. He's athletic, skilled, and has terrific size for a perimeter player. It seems he would an ideal player to make an impact in the Mountain West once he comes eligible.

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial